John Stuart Mill: Life, Philosophy, and Impact on Society
Posted on Nov 29, 2024 in Philosophy and ethics
John Stuart Mill: Q&A
- Cities of birth and death? London, Avignon
- Philosophical current? Utilitarianism
- Work appeared same year as The Origin of Species? On Liberty (1859)
- Chronology? 1806-1873
- Other prominent field besides philosophy? Economic Policy
- Teacher considered founder of utilitarianism? Bentham
- Principle of Utility? Actions should promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
- Another name for Principle of Utility? Maximum Happiness Principle
- Work containing theory of science (1843)? A System of Logic
- Method of sciences according to Mill? Induction
- Innate ideas? There are no innate ideas.
- Who said On Liberty was the work of two? Harriet Taylor
- Penalties within utilitarianism? Consequences of pain or pleasure guiding actions, reasons for compliance.
- Epistemological status of mathematical statements? Not considered certain a priori.
- Special education during childhood? Intensive education without religion, no contact with peers, fostering reason.
- Overcoming deep depression? English Romantic poetry (e.g., Lord Byron).
- Father? James Mill
- Work pointing out dangers of democracy? Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
- Work in defense of feminism? The Subjection of Women (1869)
- Deductive logic’s role? Organizes knowledge, doesn’t expand it.
- Criticism of Bentham’s conception of pleasure? Failure to distinguish qualitatively human pleasures.
- Why is Mill’s utilitarianism social hedonism? Interprets happiness as social pleasure, promotes altruism.
- Critique of Kant’s categorical imperative? Too dogmatic, doesn’t allow exceptions.
- British economists influencing Mill’s liberalism? David Ricardo, Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus
- Father of sociology? Auguste Comte
- Who requested voting rights for women (1866)? Mill, on behalf of women.
- Who are “experts” on pleasure? Those who have experienced both.
- Maxim “Love your neighbor as yourself”? Ideal of utilitarian ethics.
- Innate moral sentiments? Mill recognizes some natural inclinations, feelings of pleasure/displeasure.
- Opinion on contractualism? Rejects it as unnecessary to explain social obligations.
- State forbidding intoxication? State lacks capacity to make rules about individual health (Principle of Indemnity).
- Higher pleasures? Those developing noblest sentiments and human creativity.
- Moral obligation to contribute to common good? Reciprocity for societal advantages.
- Principle of Indemnity? Limits state power over the individual.
- Opinion on democracy? A staunch democrat.
- State as a necessary evil? Generates a sense of lacking freedom.
- State’s position on religious beliefs? Respect religious freedom, encourage individual practice.
- Difference between punishment and moral sanctions? Punishment is legal; moral sanctions are social consequences.
- Treating people differentially? Promotes moral education and learning from consequences.
- Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism? Act: best act for maximum utility; Rule: pursuit of happiness for the greatest number.
- Discovering ethical principles for social hedonism? Observe principles proven useful across time and places.
- Moral maturity? Developing feelings towards fellow humans.
- Role of education? Activate interest in culture.
- Work same year as Communist Manifesto? Principles of Political Economy
- Why law shouldn’t draw from religious dogma? Laws should be guided by utility, not religious dogma.
- Mill’s view on Hobbesian selfishness? Humans seek their own pleasure first, then others’.
- Legitimate restrictions on freedom of expression? Only when used to harm others.
- “Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig happy”? Higher faculties lead to greater happiness.
- Human life and a work of art? Make life a work of art, applying utility as a moral criterion.
- Purpose of moral sciences? Understand humans individually and collectively to improve society.
