"[T]here is a sphere of action in which society ... has ... [no direct] interest ..." (470b)

That sphere is: "all that portion of a person's life and conduct which affects [directly] only himself, or if it also affects others, only with their free, voluntary, and undeceived consent and participation." (P 470b)

This includes (P 470bf):

• conscience
• thought and feeling
• opinion on sentiment on all subjects
• expressing and publishing opinion
• tastes and pursuits
• framing our plan of life to suit our own character
• doing as we like ... without impediment from others (so long as we do not harm others)
• joining freely with other adults for any purpose not involving harm to others

Mill holds that society should not (apart from specified exceptions) limit people's liberty in this sphere.