Key Liberal Thinkers: John Stuart Mill

When was Mill born?

When did Mill die?

When was Mill writing?

In time when Britian was moveing towards being a democratic state

→ Passage of the Second Reform Act (1867)

How did the Second Reform Act (1867) influence Mill?

• Concerned about the implications of democracy if the newly enfranchised were not educated

• Possibility of tyranny of the majority

Why might Mill be considered quite progressive for his time?

Argued for the inclusion of women in the expanded franchise

What was Mill’s key work?

On Liberty (1859)

What was the content of On Liberty (1859)?

• Developed content of negative freedom

• Introduced the harm principle of toleration

How did Mill see human actions?

• Self-regarding: do not harm others and should be tolerated

• Other-regarding: harm others and should not be tolerated

What did Mill argue about tolerance?

• Tolerance of diverse opinions

• Allows new ideas to emerge

• Bad ideas can be exposes through rational debate

How is Mill’s view on liberty more sophisticated than early classical liberalism?

• Liberty not just a natural right or an end in itself

• Instead a means to ongoing human development

What did Mill argue about human nature?

• Not fixed, can be improved upon

How did Mill see individualism?

Developmental

→ Focus on what individuals could become, not just current freedom

What is a key Mill quote?

“Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”

→ It is better to be intelligent person who dissatisfied than to be an unthinking person who is satisfied

→ This satisfaction comes from ignorance

How did Mill see democracy?

• Worried about potential dangers

• Tryanny of the majority

What did Mill argue about the state?

The state should proceed cautiously towards representative democracy and be mindful of minorities

What did Mill argue about society?

The best society is one where individuality coexists with tolerance and self-improvement

What does Mill argue about the economy?

Laissez-faire capitalism vital to progress individual entetprise and initiative