John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was a British philosopher, political economist, historian, and political theorist who is considered one of the most important figures in classical liberalism. He is best known for his works on utilitarianism, political philosophy, and political economy.

Life and Work

John Stuart Mill was born in London, England, in 1806. His father, James Mill, was a prominent utilitarian philosopher and political economist, and John Stuart received a rigorous education from a young age.

Mill's early work was heavily influenced by his father's utilitarianism. In his 1823 essay "Utilitarianism," Mill argued that the greatest good for the greatest number is the only moral standard that can be universally applied.

Mill later developed his own version of utilitarianism, known as "higher-order utilitarianism." Higher-order utilitarianism holds that people should not only aim to maximize happiness, but also to develop their higher-order capacities for reason and understanding.

Mill's political philosophy is based on the principles of individual liberty and representative democracy. In his 1859 work "On Liberty," Mill argued that society should allow individuals as much freedom as possible, even if their actions are harmful to themselves.

Mill also argued that representative democracy is the best form of government, as it allows the people to choose their leaders and hold them accountable. In his 1861 work "Considerations on Representative Government," Mill outlined the principles of a good representative democracy.

In addition to his work on utilitarianism, political philosophy, and political economy, Mill also wrote on a wide range of other topics, including logic, history, and socialism.

Legacy

John Stuart Mill is considered one of the most important figures in classical liberalism. His work has had a profound impact on the development of political theory, ethics, and economics.

Key Works

• A System of Logic (1843)
• Utilitarianism (1823)
• On Liberty (1859)
• Considerations on Representative Government (1861)
• Principles of Political Economy (1848)

Quotes

• "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied."
• "The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it."
• "The worth of any object is according to the pleasure it gives, and the value of any pursuit is according to the happiness it produces."
• "The liberty of the individual is not an absolute right, but must be balanced against social utility."
• "Democracy is the only form of government that, in theory, allows the people to govern themselves."