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Mill's Biography
Mill's Biography
harm other people. Only when harm to other people are exercised can
the authority take action. ''The only purpose for which power can be
rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against
his will, is to prevent harm to others''. Mill did distance himself from his
mentors but he still wanted to preserve some of thier ideas. Bentham's
Utilitarianism was heavily criticised by people like Robert Carlyle and
Mill tried to answer some of these criticisms by reformulating
Utilitariansim. In his book Utilitarianism published in 1861, Mill
defended some of the aspect of Bentham's Utilitarianism and tried to
clarify some misconceptions. Mill summerised Utilitarianism in one
sentence ''Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote
happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness''
He believed that happiness and human well are natural sentiments
that everyone wants. This indicates that Utilitarianism is an organic
system that everyone can easily follow. This book is Mill's most famous
and influential work and continues to make his name.
Mill passed away in 1873 and after his death, Three Essays on Religion
and his Autobiography was published. Mill significantly influenced
British thought and his liberal values continue to shape our society.