-
A System of Logic (Mill revised the original work several times over the course of thirty years in response to critiques and commentary made by Whewell, Bain, and others.)
This book consist of John Stewart's Mill's writings about inductive reasoning and the five principles known as “Mill's Methods.” Mill’s work is important because it outlines the empirical principles Mill would use to justify his moral and political philosophies. In addition, Mill’s writings is an attempt to expound a psychological system of logic within empiricist principles. -
According to "A System of Logic,
" Mill states, "Truths are known to us in two ways: some are known directly, and of themselves; some through the medium of other truths. The former are the subject of Intuition, or Consciousness; 4 the latter, of Inference (Mills, page 3)." Mill, John S. A System of Logic Ratiocinative and Inductive: Being a Connected View of the Principles of Evidence and the Methods of Scientific Investigation. London: Longmans, Green, 1886. Print. -
1846
Ricardo, David. The Principles of Political Economy & Taxation. London: J.M. Dent & Sons, 1912. Print. -
Principles of Political Economy
“Principles of Political Economy” was one of the most important economic text books of the mid-nineteenth century. It discusses descriptive issues such as which nations tended to benefit more in a system of trade based on comparative advantages. The text book also talks about normative issues such as ideal systems of political economy and critiquing proposed systems such as communism and socialism. -
Liberty (This fine line, if you will, is still discussed today such as in the Second Amendment. This essay has remained a major treatise on political thought. )
This essay applies to Mill's ethical system of utilitarianism to society and defines the relationship between the concept of authority and liberty. This is an important work as it describes how personal rights may be respected while leaders exercise their power to uphold the laws of the land, which may at times appear to infringe upon personal freedoms. -
1859
Mill, John S. On Liberty. London: John W. Parker and Son, West Strand, 1859. -
(For instance, Mill’s analysis of matter in terms of “Permanent Possibilities of Sensation,” is his confessedly abortive analysis of personal identity in similarly phenomenalist terms, and his analysis of free will and responsibility.)
Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy “An Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy”, is not a widely known piece of work nor is it very highly regarded, even by those who are most attracted to Mill’s writings on philosophy. It contains some instructive set-pieces, which have provoked exemplary interest for further discussion. -
1865
Mill, John S. An Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy: And of the Principal Philosophical Questions Discussed in His Writings. London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts & Green, 1865. Print. -
Concepts of John Stuart Mill (Video)
