POLS 237 Lecture : 19th Century John Stuart Mill
12 Oct 2012
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Document Summary
Son of english philosopher james mill: close associate of bentham, founder of modern totalitarianism. Early education is something of a legend: very dramatic matter for mill. Mill suffers a breakdown: poetry leads him out of his dark years. , the only way to achieve happiness is to do things for their own sake. Arrested for distributing pamphlets on birth control to middle class. Had hostility to anglicanism and religious authority. Edited prominent radical journal, becoming minor celebrity. Goes on to serve as mp for the liberal party in britain. In middle age, writes major work and cements position as celebrity: advocates freedom for ireland, first mp to advocate extending right to vote to women. Seems to have only had one love interest name harriet taylor: for the first 21 years, harriet was married, married immediately after her husband died. He eventually adopted harriet"s daughter from first marriage. The highest type of life is the autonomous life.
