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Mill JS

Full Name: John Stuart Mill

Achievements: His ideas, particularly on the rights of the individual and the concept of happiness, influenced Western thought and law

Born: May 20, 1806; Pentonville, England

Died: May 7, 1873; Avignon, France

Field & Discipline: Philosophy; Social Reform

Language: English

Father: James Harriet Burrow Mill

Mother: Unknown

Spouse: Harriet Hardy Taylor

Siblings: Eight

Children: None

Education: Educated at home

Major Work:

"A System of Logic"

"On Liberty"

Life & Times:

In 1821 Mill read a French version of one of [influenced by] Jeremy Bentham*'s works, and became intrigued with Bentham's idea that morality is based on "the greatest happiness of the greatest number".

Seeing himself as the "reformer of the world", Mill became involved in the London Debating Society, and was present at the founding of the "Westminster Review", whose purpose was to spread Benthamite ideas. He corresponded with writer [a pal of] Carlyle*, and began spreading the doctrines of [follower of] Malthus*. On one occasion, in 1824, he was arrested for distributing birth control pamphlets in London slums.

His first published article: "Periodical Literature: Edinburgh Review," appeared in "The Westminster" in 1824, and was a criticism of the "Review's" liberal leanings. Along the way, he prepared Bentham's manuscript: "Rationale of Judicial Evidence."

Mill soon began to develop his own philosophy, taking a more emotional approach to the questions of life than the pure utilitarian stance he had adopted earlier. As Mill recognized that what mattered was not just the quantity but the quality of pleasures, his ideas of how to achieve happiness grew more complex. Mill called the resolution of these difficulties the search for "many sidedness".

He was now listening to the thinking of his friends [a pal of] Comte* and Carlyle, and in Paris became intrigued by the followers of the utopian thinker [intrigued by] Saint Simon*, though preferring the views of the English reformer [admirer of] Robert Owen*.

Mill published two major essays in "The Westminster." One, in 1838, was on Bentham, and the other, in 1840, on [wrote on] Coleridge*. In Mill's view, the two great figures symbolized the opposing philosophical views of the time: Bentham representing rhetoric and radicalism and Coleridge representing imagination and conservatism. Mill favored Coleridge.

During the 1840s, two monumental works established Mill's reputation: "A System of Logic", begun in 1830 and completed in 1843, attempted to validate the ideas of experiential philosophy. In spite of its radicalism, the book was popular and played a major role in the 19th century debate between empiricism and transcendentalism. The work influenced his godson, philosopher [godson was] Bertrand Russell*.

"Principles of Political Economy", in 1848, argued that the human condition could be greatly improved if economic systems took into account the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

This book was also immensely popular, although [disapproved of by] Dickens* disliked it and [attacked by] Ruskin* wrote to attack it, in: "Unto this Last".

"On Liberty" (1859), perhaps the most literary of Mill's work for its mix of art and argument, discussed the relationship between liberty and authority. He argued that the only justification for infringement of an individual's liberty was self-protection. The book became enormously influential on the thought and law of Western societies. When [influenced] Kingsley* read it he felt himself "a clearer-headed, braver-minded man on the spot." [influenced] Thomas Hardy* referred to it as a cure for despair.

In 1860, Mill wrote "Considerations on Representative Government," and then "Utilitarianism", which argued that happiness was a morally-acceptable goal.

In 1865, he was elected a Member of Parliament, where he was one of the forces behind the Reform Bill of 1867. Defeated in the 1868 election, Mill took up the campaign for women's suffrage, writing the passionate: "The Subjection of Women", which called for "a principle of perfect equality" between the sexes. Considered a radical notion at the time for, Mill claimed women had the same intellectual capabilities as men and were fit for official office. More revolutionary was his claim that male dominance was a relic from barbaric times.

In the early 1870s, Mill's health began to decline. He concentrated on his "Autobiography", which was published after his death. He spent his last years in France. Throughout his life, he always wore black. His main pleasure was taking long walks through the countryside. Three days before he died, he walked 14 miles.

Extra Connections: Knew [knew] Babbage* and [knew] Brandes*.

Disagreed with [disagreed with] Whewell*'s theories

Met [met]Somerville*

His son was philosopher [son was] James Mill*.

Helped [helped] Mazzini* get writing work.

Influenced economist [influenced] A. Marshall*

One of his fans was critic [a fan was] Archer*

He did not like the work of [disliked work of] Robert Browning*

He was inspired by [inspired by] Galt*, Wilhelm von Humboldt*

He was influenced by [influenced by] Paley*

He knew the work of economist [knew work of] Richard Price*

Was a friend of philosopher Herbert [a pal of] Spencer*

He worked with [worked with]Bulwer-Lytton*

Assessment: One of the foremost philosophers of 19th century Britain, uniting the reason of the Enlightenment with the emotional insight of the Romantic era.

Oneliner: John Stuart Mill, social reformer

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