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Birth of Mills
John Stuart Mills was a radical Empiricist, who believed the only true way to gain knowledge is through induction, and sensory experience. As a natural science practitioner, he devoted himself to improving upon the moral philosophy known as utilitarianism. Through his works, he is known as a logician, and an ethical theorist. -
System of Logic
A System of Logic Ratiocinative and Inductive was published.
(Collected Works). This was the first of Mill's greatest assets to science. In this book, he looks at historical examples of "successful" science, and attempts to define a better theory of scientific method. Mills himself was not a historian of science, but based his knowledge from other philosophers. It is thought that if he had researched more himself, that he may not have become such a radical believer of induction. (Stanford) -
On Liberty
The Essay "On Liberty" appeared in 1859.
During this time, democracy was spreading rapidly, replacing former monarchies. As a political activist and moral theorist, Mills believed Utilitarianism (or some form of it) was required to avoid the dangers that either government presented. Mill's claimed On Liberty presented “a kind of philosophic text-book of a single truth”. (Collected Works, Autobiography, I: 259) -
Utilitarianism
"Utilitarianism" first appeared in Fraser's Magazine in 1861, then placed in a separate publication in 1863 (Britannica). Mills was often called hedonistic for his views on Utilitarianism. He believed that happiness is the only true motivation or goal mankind should have. He intends much more meaning behind these words. As one of his leading philosophies, this plagued him for years. This short video can explain in more detail, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI (Crash) -
Auguste Comte and Positivism
"It is not good that persons should be bound, by other people’s opinion, to do everything that they would deserve praise for doing. There is a standard of altruism to which all should be required to come up, and a degree beyond it which is not obligatory, but meritorious". (Collected Works, Auguste Comte and Positivism, X: 337). This is the simplest explanation of this work. To not do something unless it brings happiness to the majority first, then yourself. That aiding society is the goal. -
Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy
Here, John Mills openly criticized another philosophers work. He believed strongly that religion should not govern in any way. He felt that this would create dangerous political and theological conditions. Considering most people at the time were religious, this was an extremely bold move. "the religion he attacked because he saw in it merely another attempt to foist a priestly hierarchy upon suffering humanity" (Britannica). Mills holds that positivism should be the stance of government. -
Mills Death
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Bibliography page 1
Anschutz, Richard Paul, "John Stuart Mill", Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, inc., 16 May 2019, URL = https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Stuart-Mill Crash Course, Utilitarianism: "Crash Course Philosophy #36", Youtube, 21 November 2016, URL = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI -
Bibliography page 2
John Stuart Mill, "Collected Works of John Stuart Mill", ed. J.M. Robson (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1963-1991), 33 vols. 5/26/2019. URL = https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/165 Macleod, Christopher, "John Stuart Mill", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2018 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2018/entries/mill/. -
Bibliography page 3
Watts, George Frederic, "Portrait of Mill (1873)", Wikipedia contributors, 26 May 2019, URL = https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Stuart_Mill&oldid=898285733