John Stuart Mill
An action is right if it increases happiness, but not all pleasures are equal.
Life
British philosopher and economist (London 1806 - Avignon 1873), educated very early by his father James Mill in the tradition of Bentham, and a Member of Parliament from 1865 to 1868. He defends utilitarianism while distinguishing higher and lower pleasures, and the liberty of the individual, limited only by harm to others. He also argued for the equality of women and for freedom of expression.
Main works
He argues that society may constrain an individual only to prevent harm to others, and pleads for freedom of thought and discussion.
He holds that actions are right as they tend to promote happiness, and that pleasures differ in quality.
He criticises the legal subordination of women and calls for equality of the sexes.
A treatise on reasoning and scientific method, grounded in experience.
In his own words
« The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. »
« It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. »
« The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. »
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceThe evidence leaves at most a slight probability of a limited creator; an all-powerful and good God is ruled out by evil.
Mill, Three Essays on Religion (1874)
All knowledge, even in mathematics, comes from experience through induction.
Mill, A System of Logic (1843)
Our acts are caused by our character and circumstances, yet we can shape our character, so necessity is not fatalism.
Mill, A System of Logic (1843), VI, 2
An action is right as it tends to promote happiness, and higher pleasures count more than lower ones.
Mill, Utilitarianism (1861)
Religious claims must meet the same test of evidence as any other claim.
Mill, Three Essays on Religion (1874)
Society may limit a person's freedom only to prevent harm to others.
Mill, On Liberty (1859)