John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher, economist, and writer who lived from 1806 to 1873. A philosopher is a person who studies ideas about knowledge, rules, and how people should live together. Mill wrote many books and essays about government, law, freedom, and society. He believed that ideas should be discussed openly and clearly.

Mill was born in London, England. His father was James Mill, a writer and historian. James Mill planned a very strict education for his son. John Stuart Mill learned to read Greek at a very young age. He studied history, science, and mathematics. This early education made him skilled in reading and writing, but it was also demanding.

John Stuart Mill is closely linked to the idea of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the view that actions should be judged by their results. Mill built on ideas first written by Jeremy Bentham. Mill agreed that laws and actions should aim to reduce suffering and increase happiness. He also added that different kinds of happiness exist, such as physical comfort and learning.

Mill wrote an important book called On Liberty. In this book, he discussed individual freedom. Individual freedom means a person’s ability to think, speak, and act without unfair limits. Mill argued that people should be free to express opinions, even unpopular ones, as long as they do not harm others. Harm means causing injury or damage.

Mill was also active in public life. He served as a member of the British Parliament. Parliament is the law-making body of the United Kingdom. While in Parliament, he spoke about laws and social issues. He supported equal legal treatment, including improved rights for women. He wrote a book called The Subjection of Women, which discussed legal inequality.

John Stuart Mill died in 1873. His ideas continued to influence later thinkers, writers, and lawmakers. His books are still read as examples of clear writing about society, law, and freedom.