John Stuart Mill: Philosopher, Economist, and Advocate of Utilitarianism

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was an influential 19th-century British philosopher, economist, and politician, as well as a senior employee of the East India Company. Trained rigorously from a young age by his father, the economist James Mill, and influenced by utilitarian thinker Jeremy Bentham, he helped shape classical economics and utilitarian philosophy.

A controversial figure in Victorian Britain, Mill advocated combining economics, philosophy, and social awareness in political decision-making and legislation. Many of his views, such as on the legal status of women and the abolition of slavery, were progressive for his time. He co-founded the first women's suffragist society and supported the Union during the U.S. Civil War.

Mill is best known for his 1848 book, "Principles of Political Economy," a leading economic text for decades, as well as his influential works "On Liberty," "Utilitarianism," "A System of Logic," and "The Subjection of Women," which left a lasting mark on economics, ethics, and social reform.

John Stuart Mill's Formative Years and Education

John Stuart Mill was born in London, the eldest son of James Mill, a historian, economist, and philosopher, and his wife, Harriet Barrow. His father provided a rigorous education, teaching him Greek by age three and Latin by eight. Mathematics and economic theory were also part of the curriculum.

John Stuart Mill's beliefs and works largely stemmed from his upbringing and what he learned from James Mill. His father became acquainted with the leading political theorist Jeremy Bentham in 1808, and together they started a political movement that embraced philosophical radicalism and utilitarianism, which advocates "the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people." It was during this time that the young Mill was indoctrinated with the economic theory, political thinking, and social beliefs that would shape his later work.

Romantic Influences on Mill's Philosophy

His challenging childhood may have been responsible for the severe depression that dogged Mill in 1826-1827. He found his way out of this malaise largely through reading the Romantic poets, whose work appears to have given him an appreciation for the power of emotions and an urgency for social reform. This led him to new directions in his thinking.

His wife, Harriet Taylor, whom he married in 1830, was another major influence on Mill's life. The pair worked so closely together on his writings that he is said to have considered her the co-author of many of his works.

Mill worked for the powerful East India Company for 38 years, starting at age 16.

During 1865–68, Mill served as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the City of Westminster.

John Stuart Mill's Key Contributions

Exploring Mill's Philosophical Ideals

John Stuart Mill is considered one of the most influential British thought leaders on political discourse, including epistemology, economics, ethics, metaphysics, social and political philosophy.

He used his numerous articles, essays, and books to compare the legal status of women at the time to the legal status of slaves, to promote radical empiricism as a function of mathematics, and to pioneer the harm principle—the idea that political power should only be wielded over a member of an organization when that power is used to prevent harm to that member.

While a passionate believer in freedom and individual rights, as an economist Mill was not a consistent advocate of a laissez-faire system. He favored taxes and government oversight, such as workplace regulations and limits to workers' hours.

His later writings suggest a shift away from classic economics' belief in the free marketplace and capitalism towards socialism, or at least a mixed economy.

Major Works of John Stuart Mill

In order of publication, Mill's best-known works include:

• A System of Logic (1843), which outlines the methods of science and how they can be applied to social mechanics.
• Principles of Political Economy (1848), which combines the disciplines of philosophy and economics and advocates that population limits and slowed economic growth would be beneficial to the environment and increase public goods.
• On Liberty (1859), which addresses the nature and limits of the power that can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual, introducing the harm principle and defending free speech.
• Utilitarianism (1863), which expounds on Bentham's original philosophy, using it as the foundation of morals—rejecting the idea that it promotes narrow self-interest, and arguing it aims for the betterment of society as a whole.
• The Subjection of Women (1869), which makes the case for women’s suffrage and gender equality.
• Three Essays on Religion (1874), which critiques traditional, religious orthodoxy and advocates a more liberal "religion of humanity" (published posthumously).
• Autobiography (1874), which was written the year he died and published posthumously.

The Personal Influences on Mill’s Life

The love of Mill's life was Harriet Hardy Taylor. After two decades of a close friendship (when she was the wife of another man), they married in 1851. An intelligent, liberal thinker and writer in her own right, Taylor inspired much of Mill's work—he openly acknowledges her influence in The Subjection of Women—and she may well have edited or co-written some of his pieces.

Certainly, she helped turn Mill’s attention to the progressive ideals which she was passionate about: socialism, women’s rights, individual liberty, and a “utopian” view of humanity’s improvability.

The Bottom Line

John Stuart Mill was a pivotal 19th-century British politician, philosopher, and economist whose advocacy for individual rights, gender equality, and utilitarian ethics made him a transformative thinker.

He believed that economics, philosophy, and social awareness should work together to shape public policy for the greater good. Mill's landmark works, "Principles of Political Economy," "On Liberty," "Utilitarianism," "A System of Logic," and "The Subjection of Women," cemented his influence on political philosophy and economic theory.

His progressive views on freedom, social reform, and equality continue to resonate today, underscoring his enduring impact on both liberal thought and modern discussions of the balance between individual liberty and societal well-being.