John Stuart Mill

Question 1

Who was John Stuart Mill?

Answer 1

John Stuart Mill served to develop the ideas of Locke, Wollstonecraft and others in his book ‘On Liberty’.

Question 2

Which type of liberal was John Stuart Mill?

Answer 2

John Stuart Mill is a bridge between classical and modern liberalism.

Question 3

What was John Stuart Mill’s view of human nature?

Answer 3

John Stuart Mill believed that though fundamentally rational, human nature is not fixed, it is forever progressing to a higher level
(thus society should be built to give freedom to individuals allowing people develop their distinctive talents, characteristics and knowledge, without restraint)

Question 4

What was John Stuart Mill’s view of the state?

Answer 4

The state should proceed cautiously towards a representative democracy, mindful of minority rights
(allowing humans to channel their innate rationality in electing their leaders, whilst ensuring the freedom of minorities against the tyranny of the majority)

Question 5

What was John Stuart Mill’s view of society?

Answer 5

John Stuart Mill argued that the best society was one where ‘individuality’ co-existed with tolerance and self improvement
(to allow rational human nature to flourish)

Question 6

What was John Stuart Mill’s view of the economy?

Answer 6

Laissez-faire capitalism was vital to progress, individual enterprise and individual initiate.
(allowing rational human nature to flourish in the economic realm)