John Stuart Mill The Subjection Of Women
John Stuart Mill was once considered “the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century.” From early on in his life, Mill was challenged to think outside the box and question long held views of society from his father. Throughout his life, Mill presented his way of thinking and gave his insight on numerous issues.
John Stuart Mill was known most famously for his defense of utilitarianism and personal liberty. Mill worked his whole life to promote utilitarianism. Utilitarianism, as defined by Mill himself was “Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain the privation …show more content…
His ideas and views were widely criticized by people of the time. One of the most controversial ideas Mill presented was one about how women are treated in society. Mill said that women are trained to hate men because of how their minds work. The raising of women in society had been to work and serve her husband, and secretly hate him. Mill said that the only way to solve this issue was to change how women are raised, and this would change their minds. This meant, Mill said, that women are capable of equality, but aren’t because of a result of their environment. Mill never stopped advocating for women until his death, and he was widely praised by women …show more content…
His entire professional life spanning over three decades was spent in the service of the British East-India Company from 1823 at the age of 17 to 1858. Throughout his time working there, he rose to the rank of the Examiner in 1856 (he retired from this office in 1858). Some of his influences for writing came from these experiences in a different country. Moreover, Mill was influenced by the teachings of some of the most well-known historians and philosophers of all time. These include: Jeremy Bentham (the founder of modern utilitarianism), John Locke (considered “The Father of Liberalism”), Adam Smith (a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment), and Aristotle(the famous Greek philosopher). Lastly, and perhaps the greatest influence throughout his entire life, his father James Mill, who at a young age instilled his son with his ideas and
John Stuart Mill was known most famously for his defense of utilitarianism and personal liberty. Mill worked his whole life to promote utilitarianism. Utilitarianism, as defined by Mill himself was “Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain the privation …show more content…
His ideas and views were widely criticized by people of the time. One of the most controversial ideas Mill presented was one about how women are treated in society. Mill said that women are trained to hate men because of how their minds work. The raising of women in society had been to work and serve her husband, and secretly hate him. Mill said that the only way to solve this issue was to change how women are raised, and this would change their minds. This meant, Mill said, that women are capable of equality, but aren’t because of a result of their environment. Mill never stopped advocating for women until his death, and he was widely praised by women …show more content…
His entire professional life spanning over three decades was spent in the service of the British East-India Company from 1823 at the age of 17 to 1858. Throughout his time working there, he rose to the rank of the Examiner in 1856 (he retired from this office in 1858). Some of his influences for writing came from these experiences in a different country. Moreover, Mill was influenced by the teachings of some of the most well-known historians and philosophers of all time. These include: Jeremy Bentham (the founder of modern utilitarianism), John Locke (considered “The Father of Liberalism”), Adam Smith (a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment), and Aristotle(the famous Greek philosopher). Lastly, and perhaps the greatest influence throughout his entire life, his father James Mill, who at a young age instilled his son with his ideas and