Utilitarianism - Mill, John Stuart

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Résumé :
In John Stuart Mill's classic restatement of the utilitarianism of Jeremy Bentham, he continued a philosophical perspective that continues to be appolied to this day. The 'principle of utility', otherwise known as 'the greatest happiness principle' has surfaced over and over again throughout history since then, and has often been the basis for important public policy discussions. As an ethical system that tends to view suffering as the highest, and perhaps the only, evil, it is no surprise that proponents of this perspective include philosophers such as Peter Singer, who has applied it to animals rights, euthanasia, infanticide, and other controversial issues. This edition is based on the first edition which was originally released in installments in Fraser's Magazine in 1861 and then by the same publishers, Parker, Son, and Bourn, West Strand, in 1863.

Biographie:
John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher, political economist, Member of Parliament (MP), and civil servant who lived from 20 May 1806 to 7 May 1873. He was one of the most significant intellectuals in the development of classical liberalism. The utilitarian movement was started by John Stuart Mill. Being a particularly bright youngster, he was able to read six Plato dialogues and Aesop's Fables by the age of eight. Jeremy Bentham and Francis Place provided guidance and support as John Stuart's father schooled him. At the age of eight, Mill started studying Latin, algebra, and Euclid classes. He liked to read Robinson Crusoe and Don Quixote in his free time. Along with his father, he studied David Ricardo and Adam Smith. He was deeply affected by the vibrant and welcoming culture of France. Mill was inspired to reject Bentham's theory of human nature by his correspondence with Auguste Comte. After 21 years of close friendship with Harriet Taylor, Mill wed her on April 21, 1851. After barely seven years of marriage and after experiencing acute lung congestion, she died in 1858. Thirteen days before his 67th birthday in 1873, Mill passed away from erysipelas in Avignon, France; he was buried next to his wife.

Sommaire:
Born on May 20, 1806, in Pentonville, England, John Stuart Mill was a philosopher, political economist, and civil servant. His father, James Mill, a historian and economist, provided him with an extensive education, fostering his early intellectual development. By his teenage years, Mill was already engaging deeply with classical literature, philosophy, and political economy.Throughout his career, Mill made significant contributions to social theory, political theory, and economics. He is best known for his works On Liberty and Utilitarianism, where he explored individual freedom and the principle of utility. As a proponent of utilitarianism, Mill expanded upon the ideas of his predecessor, Jeremy Bentham, emphasizing the greatest happiness principle.In addition to his philosophical pursuits, Mill was an active political figure. He served as a Member of Parliament for the City of Westminster from 1865 to 1868, advocating for social reforms such as women's suffrage and proportional representation. Mill's legacy endures as a foundational thinker in liberalism, influencing contemporary discussions on ethics, liberty, and governance....