Knowra John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) was an English philosopher, political economist, and politician whose works defended individual liberty, utilitarian ethics, and representative government.
Utilitarianism : An ethical theory that evaluates actions by their consequences for overall well-being. Mill revised this ethical tradition to answer objections about pleasure, justice, and moral motivation.
On Liberty : Mill’s 1859 essay defending freedom of thought, discussion, and individual conduct against social and political coercion. It gives the fullest account of the liberty principle associated with Mill.
James Mill : A Scottish historian, philosopher, and political economist who was a leading advocate of utilitarianism. Mill’s father directed his intensive early education and introduced him to utilitarian thought.
Considerations on Representative Government : Mill’s 1861 book examining the conditions, advantages, and limits of representative government. It sets out his case for political participation alongside safeguards for competent administration.
Act utilitarianism : The view that each action should be judged by whether it produces the greatest overall utility in that instance. Mill’s emphasis on moral rules and higher pleasures complicates a simple case-by-case reading of utilitarianism.
Liberalism : A political tradition emphasizing individual freedom, rights, and limits on government power. Mill’s defense of personal liberty became a landmark statement of nineteenth-century liberalism.
Freedom of speech : The liberty to express opinions without censorship or punishment by authorities. Mill argues that suppressing even false opinions can deprive society of truth or clearer understanding.
Jeremy Bentham : An English philosopher and legal reformer who founded classical utilitarianism. Bentham’s moral philosophy shaped Mill’s early outlook, which he later revised.
Principles of Political Economy : Mill’s 1848 treatise on production, distribution, exchange, and the role of economic institutions. It applies his reformist thinking to economic arrangements and the distribution of wealth.
Rule utilitarianism : The view that actions are assessed by rules whose general acceptance would maximize utility. This interpretation is often used to explain Mill’s defense of stable moral rules.
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