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Name:
John Stuart Mill
Dates:
Born: May 20, 1806 in London, England
Died: May 8, 1873 in Avignon
Biography:
John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher who is remembered for having developed the
modern ethical theory of utilitarianism, based upon the earlier work of Jeremy Bentham.
According to Mill, actions could be best judged as moral or immoral based upon how well
they fostered the greatest possible happiness for the greatest number of people.
Mill was unusual in the sense that his parents did not raise him in a religious environment or to believe religious doctrines. Thus, he was never a believing Christian and could approach its claims without the baggage of disappointment and anger that often accompany those who believed at one time and later rejected it.
In his 1887 book A System of Logic, Mill made an important but often unrecognized contribution to the development of modern sicence. It was not until after the publication of this work that scientists came to realize the importance of control groups in scientific experiments. Even today it is difficult to get people to understand the necessity of testing the presence of a cause against the absence of a cause - in the 19th century, that realization was even more uncommon.
Quotes:
... 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. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or to forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because in the opinions of others to do so would be wise or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from which it is desired to deter him must be calculated to produce evil to someone else. (John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number is self-protection. (John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. (John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
Biographies of Philosophers
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What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
