Greater rationality in society, as understood by Mills, results in the rationalization of every facet of life for the individual until there is the loss "of his capacity and will to reason; it also affects his chances and his capacity to act as a free man" (170). This does not mean that individuals in society are unintelligent or hopeless. Mills is not suggesting determinism. Under Mills' conception, freedom is not totally absent as the "average" individual in society has "a real potential for freedom". Individuals have adapted to the rationalization of society. Mills believed in the individual's autonomy and potential to alter societal structures.