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John Stuart Mill Research Paper

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The philosopher that I have chosen is John Stuart Mill. John Stuart Mill was born on 20th May 1806 in London, to the British economist, historian and philosopher, James Mill and Harriet Burrow. Mill was a philosopher, political and economic theorist, naturalist, feminist, civil servant, scholar and an author. He was well-known as one of the most influential English philosopher of the nineteenth century. He was the eldest son and was educated by his strict father. Mill’s father was a supporter of Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy of utilitarianism and aimed to make his son a genius so that he would carry of Bentham's theory after both his and Bentham’s death. Therefore Mill’s father kept him very sheltered, away from children of his age and taught …show more content…
Utilitarianism is a moral theory that focuses on the consequences or results of our actions rather than our intentions. Jeremy Bentham first pioneered it in the 18th century; then it was further developed by John Stuart Mill. Both these philosophers believed that good actions lead to good consequences. Bentham believed that our actions should be measured in terms of happiness they produce and that all form of pleasure is the same while Mill believed in the quality of happiness it produces. He thought that not all pleasure is of equal value since moral and intellectual virtues bring greater pleasure to an individual that the pleasure that is purely sensual. Mill described the purpose of utilitarian is to bringing happiness and positivity to people while avoiding the pain. He believed that happiness is the basis of our morality as the purpose of human life is to satisfy one’s desires to gain happiness. Mill thought that the three actions of “do not lie”, “do not kill” and “protect the weak” are fundamental actions that will lead to happiness each time. The principle of utility is that our actions should be able to produce the greatest good for the greatest number for it to be considered moral or good. Mill was a rule utilitarian meaning that he believed that rules should guide our actions that if everyone follows them, it will lead to overall …show more content…
It is a principle stating that people should be free to act however they wish unless their actions cause harm to somebody else. According to the harm principle, if the person's action only affects themselves, then society including the government should not be stopping the person from doing what he wants. E.g. we may consume alcohol, drugs or smoke cigarette unless it cause no harm to others, like driving under the influence of alcohol as the individual is putting other lives at risk. Mill didn’t like the idea of how a group of people has the power to control others lives. Therefore he believed that the only time power could be exercised over an individual is if their intentions cause harm to others. Through the use of harm principle, Mill presumed that the individuals would be free to develop their talents and this would benefit the society as a whole, this linking back to his principle of

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