John Stuart Mill Flashcards
(23 cards)
who was John Stuart Mill`
an English philosopher, politician, and key figure in classical and modern liberalism
who was J S Mill’s dad
utilitarian, John Mill
what philosophical bridge did J S Mill provide
between classical and modern liberalism
what terms describe Mill’s political ideas
transitional liberalism and developmental individualism
what was J S Mill’s main work
On Liberty (1859)
when was ‘On Liberty’ published
1859
what is Mill’s most enduring liberal idea from ‘On Liberty’ (1859)
freedom mainly involved absence of restraint
what is the ‘harm principle’
individuals are free unless their actions harm others
how did Mill divide human actions
into ‘self-regarding’ (harmless) and ‘other-regarding’ (potentially harmful)
should ‘other-regarding’ actions be tolerated
no, not if they harm others and threaten societal freedom
why was tolerance important to Mill?
it ensured new ideas were heard and bad ones rationally rejected
what was Mill’s view of liberty?
not just a right, but a tool for ongoing human development
did Mill believe human nature was fixed
no, it was always open to improvement
what is ‘developmental individualism’
the idea that individuals should be free to grow and improve
what was Mill’s famous quote on satisfaction
“better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.”
how should liberty be grounded according to Mill
on the permanent interests of man as a progressive being
what was Mill’s concern with democracy?
it could lead to a ‘tyranny of the majority’
what liberal principle did Mill fear democracy might undermine
government by consent
which historical context influenced Mill’s ideas
The Industrial Revolution, which led to loss of freedom and poverty
what were J S Mill’s views on society
- advocated individual liberty within a just society
- warned against the “tyranny of the majority” - society imposing norms that suppress individuality
- believed in progressive societies driven by free though and debate
- supported utilitarianism: greatest good for the greatest number
- valued diversity and experimentation as key to social and moral progress
- emphasised the harm principle - power over individuals is justified only to prevent harm to others
what were J S Mill’s views on the state
- limited government: advocated for a state that protects individual liberty without unnecessary interference
- utilitarianism: state should promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number
- harm principle: state can intervene only to prevent harm to others
- democracy: supported representative democracy to ensure accountability
- education & participation: state should promote education to enable informed civic participation
- freedom of expression: essential for progress; state must protect free speech
what were J S Mill’s views on the economy
- production vs. distribution: Mill believed production is governed by natural laws, but distribution is a matter of human choice and can be adjusted through policy
- utilitarianism: economic policies should aim to maximise happiness and reduce suffering
- laissez-faire with limits: supported free markets, but accepted government intervention for education, poverty relief, and correcting market failures
- stationary state: welcomed the idea of a stationary economy (zero growth) as long as it ensured well-being and sustainability
- worker cooperatives: advocated for cooperatives and profit-sharing promoting equality and worker empowerment
what were J S Mill’s views on human nature
- human nature is not fixed - it is shaped by environment, education, and society
- people can develop and improve over time
- emphasised the role of culture in forming character
- believed in freedom and individuality as key to personal growth
- human beings seek happiness (utilitarian principle)
