Mill, John Stuart. Three Essays on Religion. Nature. The Utility of Religion and Theism. Second Edition. London, Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, 1874. 22 x 14 cm. xi, (4), 257 pages plus two pages publishers list. Original green cloth. Black and blind line decorations. Gilt title. Dark brown end papers. Very good condition. Rubbed and bumped. Edges and end papers dust dulled. Front and rear hinge cracked. A few pencil annotations by previous owner, otherwise bright and clean.

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873) was an English philosopher, political economist and civil servant. One of the most influential thinkers in the history of liberalism, he contributed widely to social theory, political theory and political economy. Dubbed “the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century”, Mill’s conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state and social control. Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham, and contributed significantly to the theory of the scientific method. A member of the Liberal Party, he was also the first Member of Parliament to call for women’s suffrage.
On Liberty published in 1859, applies Mill’s ethical system of utilitarianism to society and the state. Mill attempts to establish standards for the relationship between authority and liberty. He emphasizes the importance of individuality, which he conceived as a prerequisite to the higher pleasures-the summum bonum of Utilitarianism. Furthermore, Mill criticizes the errors of past attempts to defend individuality where, for example, democratic ideals resulted in the “tyranny of the majority”. Among the standards established in this work are Mill’s three basic liberties of individuals, his three legitimate objections to government intervention, and his two maxims regarding the relationship of the individual to society.
On Liberty was a greatly influential and well received work, although it did not go without criticism. The ideas presented in On Liberty have remained the basis of much liberal political thought. It has remained in print continuously since its initial publication. (Wikipedia)

• Keywords: Economics & Social Sciences · Philosophy · Religion
• Inventory Number: 102690AB

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