John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism

John Stuart Mill was considered a Utilitarian. The philosophy of Utilitarianism is that an action should be decided by what is best for society. Mill’s philosophy was in part developed by his upbringing as a child. His childhood was restricted and he was raised in an enviroment where is emotionally needs were not met. Also his father was a friend of Jeremy Bentham. Bentham was a philosopher credited with starting the beginings of the Utiltarianism philosophy. He focused on the relationships between the social classes and working towards social reform. His philosophy focused more on social conditions and human behavior than previous philosophies had. He looked at practical solutions for societies problems and less on the metaphysical aspects
Henceforth; it is uneccessarry to follow blindly the institutions of this path. Women no longer need to cling to men as a life support; they no longer need to rely on them for everything, but can make their own path in life. Mill’s then goes on the talk of the history of mankind regarding slavery to each other and to government. While most would argue that this is not a comparison to how women are being treated, believing that women are party to this decision and want to cling to a man, Mill’s says that this exactly the same treatment women have recieved. they are consenting to the subjugation is false Mill’s states, replying with the fact that “Ever since there have been women able to make their sentiments known by their writings (the only mode of publicity which society permits to them), an increasing number of them have recorded protests against their present social condition.” Not only do men enslave women, Mill’s states, but they expect and desire them to be willing particpents in their own
But it is the fear of the loss of power they have in the relationship and in society that continues to lead to the subjection of women. Mill’s essay shows how much he valued all people of society and his view that all people deserve equal freedom and rights. Women giving the chance to have equality would not relinquish their roles as wives and mothers besides a select few, but they would have the freedom to choose their lives and more of a sense of control over their own destinies. He believed that to have a happy and functional society there must be equality for all. He was an advocate for all who were oppressed in life. The inequality between men and women still exist in nearly every society today. While there have been improvements and strides towards equality for women, there is still some distance to go before that goal is achieved. Even in America, we have yet to have a women president, women working in the same job as men often get payed less, and we have the added prejudice of women that are considered beautiful being afforded more employment oppurtunites and higher pay. This adds to the subjection of women on another level because women are being looked on by men as objects of desire and are less likely to be valued for who they are just what they look