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Thought imitates life : the case of John Stuart Mill
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Reeves, Richard (2013) Thought imitates life : the case of John Stuart Mill. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2703061~S1
Abstract
In this essay, I relate material in the original published work – John Stuart Mill
– Victorian Firebrand (Atlantic Books, 2007) to the claim that the central
features of Mill’s thought can be seen more clearly through a biographical
lens. The original contribution of the main work lies in the excavation and
application of biographical material to the development of Mill’s philosophy.
The poor development of Mill’s utilitarianism results in part from a lack of
personal investment and aspiration. Mill’s motivation was to atone for earlier,
premature assaults on Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy - rather than to develop
it further. As a consequence, his mature utilitarianism is hard to integrate
with his liberalism, which was where his primary interest lay.
Elements of Mill’s liberalism also bear a biographical imprint. The central
emphasis on self-creation in Mill’s liberal ethic results, in part, from his own
‘crisis’ and subsequent departure from the rationalist utilitarianism of his
father and Bentham. Similarly, Mill’s focus on individuality stemmed in part
from a concern to demonstrate he was not, himself, a ‘made man’. Openmindedness
became a central liberal virtue, for Mill, following his criticism of
Bentham’s (and his father’s) narrowness of thought. Character was also essential to liberty, since only those of strong character could create
themselves and express their individuality, rather than succumbing to
custom.
Mill’s partner and later wife, Harriet Taylor Mill, had an influence on Mill’s
thought. The experience of gossip and ostracism, in the years before their
marriage, strengthened Mill’s opposition to the ‘despotism of custom’. More
substantively, Harriet’s views on socialism, the ballot and feminism clearly
influenced Mill’s own treatment. Without Harriet, he would have been a less
committed socialist and feminist – and would have remained a supporter of
the right to vote in secret.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) |
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Mill, John Stuart, 1806-1873 -- Social and political views |
Official Date: | October 2013 |
Institution: | University of Warwick |
Theses Department: | Department of Philosophy |
Thesis Type: | PhD |
Publication Status: | Unpublished |
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Renzo, Massimo |
Description: | Ph.D. by published work. Submitted with the book: John Stuart Mill : Victorian firebrand. London: Atlantic Books, 2007. |
Extent: | 51 leaves. |
Language: | eng |
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