John Stuart Mill Timeline

By Haleynoelle96*

  • John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

    John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
    John Mills was born to Harriet Burrow and James Mill on May 20th 1806. His father desired to make him a genius. Growing up he learned about Greek and Roman history, political philosophy, and Science.
    In 1820 Mill moved out and visited France. This year away helped him form his own political stance views. He became inspired by French Political philosophy.

  • A System of Logic

    A System of Logic
    Mill's first book was A System of Logic. Throughout the years he revised it and made new editions. His eighth edition was published a year before his death.
    The introduction discusses the role and purpose of logic in human understanding. Logic is the art and science of reasoning, for the pursuit of truth. Logic does not produce new evidence, but it can determine whether something offered as evidence is valid (Capaldi, Nicholas 2004).

  • Utilitarianism

    Utilitarianism
    Mill's second book is more of an essay, written to provide support for the value of utilitarianism as a moral theory. He defines utilitarianism a theory based on the principle that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness"(Capaldi, Nicholas 2004). Mill's believed if society were to embrace utilitarianism as an ethic, people would internalize this as morally binding.

  • The Subjection of Women

    The Subjection of Women
    Mill's third book is arguably his best work, reflecting into todays society. He stated that the gender inequality of their time was inherently wrong and that it is prohibiting humans from flourishing. The unequal system was not decided upon via a process of rational deliberation, but from the "law of the strongest" that favored those with the most physical strength (men). A modern, equal society should move from that cruel system and support the prosperity of all people.

  • Ending Year

    Mill's died in 1873 in Avignon, France. He profoundly influenced the shape of nineteenth century British thought and political discourse (Capaldi, Nicholas 2004). His goal was to justify the utilitarian principles as the foundation of morals. Mill's most important contribution as a philosopher was his advocacy for mandatory education for all citizens. This was to provide a fair start in what he called the "race for life" for all people to have the opportunity to prosper.