John Stuart Mill Flashcards
When and to whom was John Stuart Mill born?
He was born on the 20th May 1806 to philosopher James Mill.
What were his early relations with other philosophers?
When he was 2 he met Jeremy Bentham, and when he was 16 he studied law with legal philosopher John Austin.
What happened to him after joining the East India Company?
When he was 17 he joined the East India Compony, and when he was 20 he had depression and a mental breakdown.
When did he meet his future wife?
He met Harriot Taylor in 1830 and 20 years later married her after her husband died.
When did he publish his two books?
In 1859 he published his book on liberty and in 1863 he published his book on Utilitarianism.
What did he do after being elected a member of parliament?
After being elected a member of parliament, he used his position to talk about how women should have the right to vote.
When did he die?
He died in 1873 in France.
What did Mill believe on higher pleasures and lower pleasures?
Mill believed that there are higher pleasures such as poetry and such, but their are also lower pleasures like eating. Mill thought that higher pleasures are done less often and without higher pleasures society wouldn’t be imaginative and creative.
What did Mill say on higher pleasures and lower pleasures?
Mill said “It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.”
What did Bentham believe on higher pleasures and lower pleasures?
Bentham believed that higher pleasures such as poetry, art and music are only higher pleasures for certain people, and that other people have other higher pleasures. TBC…
What did Bentham say on higher pleasures and lower pleasures?
Bentham said that “(the)Quantity of pleasure being equal, push-pin is as good as poetry.
What did Mill think on Utilitarianism?
Mill thought in favor of the death penalty for serious crimes, because it would deter criminals. He thought this for the greatest number of happiness for the greatest number of people.
What else did Mill think on Utilitarianism?
Mill thought that the end doesn’t justify the means in some cases, because some pleasures are more desirable than others. TBC…
What other thoughts did Mill have?
Mill thought that moral rules are useful because they help guide our decisions and he thought that without freedom of speech, and expression people can not be entirely happy.
