John Stuart Mill was once considered “the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century.” From early on in his life‚ Mill was challenged to think outside the box and question long held views of society from his father. Throughout his life‚ Mill presented his way of thinking and gave his insight on numerous issues. John Stuart Mill was known most famously for his defense of utilitarianism and personal liberty. Mill worked his whole life to promote utilitarianism. Utilitarianism
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John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill was born on May 20th 1806 in Pentonville‚ London as the eldest of 9 children and died on May 8th 18731 . He was a philosopher‚ economist‚ civil servant and contributor in various fields ranging from political and social theories to women’s rights3. Most notably‚ he was considered as "one of the most influential English speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century"2. Which begs the question: how did Mill gain such a legacy? First of all‚ James Mill
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John Mills’ Harm Principle In the essay “On Liberty”‚ John Stuart Mills discussed his Harm Principle. He states that‚ “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community‚ against his will‚ is to prevent harm to others” (Mill 239). This means that Mills believed that the government had no right to force any person to do anything‚ unless it would protect others from harm. If the Harm Principle holds true‚ then the government has no right
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On Liberty by John Stuart Mill Throughout On Liberty‚ Mill discusses the importance of human liberties‚ freedoms and opinions. The quote below is from the first half of On Liberty and summarizes the main theme: But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion‚ still more than those who whold it. If the opinion is right‚ they are deprived of the opportunity of
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1. John Stuart Mill: Freedom Freedom is generally defined‚ by a dictionary‚ as the condition or right of being able or allowed to do‚ say‚ think‚ etc. whatever you want to‚ without being controlled or limited (Cambridge). This means there is no interference or influence in ones’ actions or opinions by anyone else. There is no domination or dictatorial government who affects these actions or opinions. John Stuart Mill‚ an English philosopher and economist‚ gives a similar view on freedom as the
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the field of normative ethics‚ utilitarianism is a perennial philosophical view. Utilitarianism holds that a “morally right action is that which produces the most good” and promotes the maximum utility of happiness; for humanity (the aggregate). John Stuart Mill‚ a contributor to the field of utilitarianism‚ embraced Jeremy Bentham’s ‘greatest-happiness principle’ that states “the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong” . Mill offered an alternative to Bentham’s
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The Works of John Stuart Mills: Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill’s philosophy followed the doctrines of his father James Mill and his father’s mentor and compatriate‚ Jeremy Bentham. John was raised from birth by his father for the primary purpose of progressing the utilitarian theories which both he and Bentham ascribed. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory holding that the right course of action is the one that maximises the overall "good". Bentham’s work on utilitarianism was foundational for
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John Stuart Mill was an influential English philosopher known for his theories and philosophical views. One of his popular works is Utilitarianism‚ which were at first articles that were then put together into a book. Utilitarianism is a response to critics who put down Mill’s moral theory of utilitarianism and it also expands the theory further. Mill defines utilitarianism as a theory based on the idea that‚ “…actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness‚ wrong as they tend
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John Stuart Mill was a great philosopher of the nineteenth century and the author of ’On Liberty.’ In this writing (written in 1850)‚ Mills voiced his ideas on individual freedom‚ both social and political. His intended audience is educated‚ healthy and ’civilized’ adults. He equates our personal freedoms with the pursuit of happiness‚ in particular‚ freedom of speech and expression. Mill defines the meaning of liberty as the relationship between the State and an individual‚ in regards to the power
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John Stuart Mill’s foundation of Morality and his basis for Utilitarianism are based on the Greatest Happiness Principle. In his essay titled Utilitarianism he states that morality should be governed by pleasure and freedom from unhappiness which are the only alluring ends to this life. Everything in life that is pleasurable is sought after because of the desires they fulfill or how they reduce pain. Early on in the essay he clearly distinguishes between the mental and physical pleasure. Despite
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