Michael Fernandes
John Stewart Mill
English Philosopher and Economist
1806-1873
Biography
1806 Born in London
1809-20 Educated at home by his father (Begins Greek at age 3; wrote a history of Rome at 6 and a half)
1821-2 Writes for radical newspaper
1823 Begins work as clerk in the East India Co.
1826 Mental Crisis, followed by several years of reaction against his inherited Utilitarianism.
1836 Edits London and Westminster Review; reviews first volume of Tocqueville's Democracy in America.
1840 Reviews second volume of Democracy in America
1846-7 Writes 43 articles in the Morning Chronicle attacking government policy over the Irish famine.
1851 Marries Harriet Taylor.
1854 Begins to write On Liberty.
1859 On Liberty is published 1867 Proposes Amendment to the Reform Bill to give women the right to vote but is unsuccessful.
1865 Elected Liberal MP for Westminster.
1868 Loses seat in Parliament
1869 The Subjection of Women is published.
1873 Dies May 7, at Avignon.
1879 Chapters on Socialism published in Fortnightly Review.
Also published after his death were: Autobiography and the Three Essays on Religion (Many works were collaborated with his wife, Harriet Taylor)
Overview:
Equality of women
Compulsory education
Cooperative societies
Birth control
More rational divorce laws
National Parks
National Ownership of the natural sources of wealth
Believes in pleasure of the mind first then pleasure of the body Vs. Pain.
On Liberty Mill reaffirmed and added strength to the ideas on liberty of thought and discussion argued by Milton more than two hundred years earlier. Shall individuals decide these matters for themselves, or shall some powerful individual or group such as the government or some religious body make the decision for society as a whole? Mill prefers to let the individual make the choice. A declaration of the reasons why a community for its own vital interests should ensure to its members the maximum freedom from pressure whether moral or governmental. Any attempt to control an opinion by government action or public intolerance is illegitimate. Mill argues that although abuses of freedom of speech are inevitable, governments should not intervene to enforce a standard of ethics in public discourse. The freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole. Self-protection alone can justify either the states tampering with the liberty of the individual or any personal interference with another's freedom. The tyranny of the majority exerting itself in the entire area of social life...society itself is the tyrant. ***** If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. (Christ and Socrates)
1) The censored opinion may be true and the accepted opinion may be in error
2) Even truth needs to be challenged and tested, else it becomes a dead dogma
3) There is probably some degree of truth in all opinions.
For the existence of a free society's liberty, 3 distinct elements are necessary:
1) Complete control over the domain of one's consciousness
2) Liberty of pursuit of forming one's own character and lifestyle without hurting others (physically)
3) Freedom to unite.
Prior life experience should not be ignored, however it should be evaluated and acted upon independently by each person.
Mill conceded that when one makes a false statement, defaming another's character, the first should be held accountable.
The Subjection of Women 1869
The legal subordination of one sex to the other is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disabi lity on the other. (119)
The burthen of proof is supposed to be with those who are against liberty; who contend for any restriction or prohibition; either any limitation of the general freedom of human action, or any disqualification or disparity or privilege affecting one perso n or kind of persons, as compared with others....The law should treat everyone alike. (120)
a) Oppressor must prove why oppressed should be subordinate, PROOF!
b) Reason
c) It has been only theory why men should be dominate, designed by men.
d) no deliberation, forethought or any social order deeming this to be the best for society. Compare women to slaves. The church could make men do many things but it could not make men fight less with one another, nor tyrannize less cruelly over the serfs, and when they were able, over burgesses. For every one who desires power, desires it most over those who are n earest to him, women. (126) The rule of men over women, differs from slavery, force: it is accepted voluntarily. (131) a) Men want womenıs sentiments, and their minds.
1) The natural attraction between opposite sexes
2) The wife's entire dependence on the husband, every privilege or pleasure she has being either his gift, or depending entirely on his will
3) The principal object of human pursuit, consideration, and all objects of social ambition, can in general be sought or obtained by her only through him. Need Freedom and Competition (general presumptions because of their sex is wrong!) Husbands and Wives should be treated equally.
a) Even after the husband dies, the mother is not the legal guardian unless he specifically states it so.
b) Gives up all her monies. A marriage should be treated as a business agreement, equal. Moral sentiments change laws. (161) Women should have control over their property and future earning abilities. Women should participate in elections, and hold offices and practice professions involving important public responsibilities. (169) (Queens) It was believed that women were morally superior...Have an aversion to war, and philanthropy. (192) Women cannot be expected to devote themselves to the emancipation of women, until men in considerable number are prepared to join with them in the undertaking (194) Above all merit, and not birth, is the only rightful claim to power and authority. (198) Women have great intellectual capabilities. Every restraint on the freedom of conduct of any of their human fellow creatures, dries up the principal fountain of human happiness, and leaves the species less rich. (217)
Conclusion: John Mill was the first to profess the idea that their were three reasons why the liberty of speech should never be hindered or suffocated. He except in cases dealing with private libel, believed speech should be an ultimate liberty. He also stated his co ncerns of the possible tyranny of the majority in a democracy. One of his biggest contributions to history was his idea>