Mill

Question 1

When did Mill live and what was important during this time ?

Answer 1

1806-1873 , was important when classical liberalism became liberal democracy

Question 2

What are Mill’s key texts ?

Answer 2

Principles of Political Economy (1848) , On Liberty (1859) , Consideration on Representative Government (!861) , Utilitarianism (1863) and The Subjection of Women (1869)

Question 3

Who was Mill influenced by ?

Answer 3

James Mill ( 1773-1836) and Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Question 4

What is Bentham’s version of Utilitarianism?

Answer 4

The principle of utility (the goal which ought always to be pursued is ‘the greatest happiness of the greatest number’) , Happiness and pleasure (aka the gratification of bodily desires ) , Subjectivism ( we can make no distinction between somebody thinking they are happy and their being ‘truly’ happy ) , anti-paternalism (individual are the best judges of their own self-interests opposite to Plato)

Question 5

What does Mill claim to follow ?

Answer 5

The anti - paternalist agenda , he assumes that people have certain objective interests even if they are not aware of them .

Question 6

What is Harm principle ?

Answer 6

Must distinguish between actions which are self-regarding and actions which are other-regarding.

Question 7

What are the three basic freedoms according to Mill ?

Answer 7

Freedom of thought , Freedom of action and Freedom of association

Question 8

What does Mill assume about freedom ?

Answer 8

That freedom and happiness are connected. Mills commitment to utilitarianism would lead to him choose happiness over freedom.

Question 9

What is Mill’s thoughts on slavery ?

Answer 9

Happy Slavery is not possible as it is a contradictions

Question 10

What does Mill believe a free society would have ?

Answer 10

A private sphere which is as great as possible. To maximise freedom we must minimize law .

Question 11

What does Mill think a state should carry out three functions ?

Answer 11

The protection of persons , the protection of property and the enforcement of contracts

Question 12

What does Mill follow ?

Answer 12

Follows laissex farie and free trade economics , all human needs would be satisfied privately in accordance with the principles established by Ada Smith

Question 13

What is negative Liberty ?

Answer 13

Associated with doing what one wants or doing what one freely chooses to do

Question 14

What did liberal thinkers at end of 19th century do ?

Answer 14

Came to endorse a welfare state, recognised that free society requires government introduced policies designed to promote social equality

Question 15

What is Bentham’s theory of representation ?

Answer 15

Believes deleagtes should act on behalf of the people’s will however they should not promote their own self-interests

Question 16

What does Mill things individuals are?

Answer 16

Best judges of their own self-interest

Question 17

What does Mill argue for ?

Answer 17

Argue for the extension of the franchise beyond the limits set by the Great Reform Act of 1812 and believed in extending the franchise to women .

Question 18

What did Mill think of full-fledged democracy ?

Answer 18

This may lead to class legislation who would redistribute property or make laws not int the interests of the entire community (‘tyranny of the majority)

Question 19

What does Mill say false conception of democracy do ?

Answer 19

Embodies the commitment to the theory of representation. Mill favoured a plural voting system where the educated elite could essentially vote more but this is not very anti-paternalist of him

Question 20

What does Mill say to defend representative government ?

Answer 20

Must consider how far a system of government promotes the good management of the affairs of society and must also consider what is its effect in improving or deteriorating those faculties

Question 21

What does mill say the involvement of educated people in political life will do ?

Answer 21

Raise the general level of cultivation of the population as a whole

Question 22

What does Mill reject ?

Answer 22

That is it morally acceptable to legally permit contract of voluntary servitude

Question 23

What is Mill’s opinion on Slaves ?

Answer 23

A happy slave is not possible as belive liberty is a precondition of happiness. Slaves may believe they are happy and contended with their life but they will never truly be happy. Disagree with slavery but staunch supporter of the British empire .

Question 24

What type of thinker is Mill ?

Answer 24

Liberal Feminist same as Wollstonecraft

Question 25

What is Mill’s views on Women ?

Answer 25

Excluded based on the threatened or actual use of physical violence . They are prevented from being economically independent by existing legal barriers and therefore forced into marriage. The education of women involves preparing them to willingly accept their future subordination

Question 26

What are Mill’s Utilitarian defence of women’s emancipation ?

Answer 26

Argument from justice (granting of equal rights to women is demanded by the claims of justice . A just society is a happy one ) , argument from knowledge and education (inclusion of education women in the civil and political life will increase the total amount of knowledge, wisdom , experience and virtue available will result in the improvement of society ) , argument from virtue and moral charact ( as society which include women will be more civilised , maximising happiness ) and argument from individual liberty and happiness ( connected nobody can truly happy who is not free)