Best Selling Books by John Stuart

John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism is a philosophical defense of utilitarianism, a moral theory stating that right actions are those that tend to promote overall happiness. The essay first appeared as a series of articles published in Fraser’s Magazine in 1861; the articles were collected and reprinted as a single book in 1863. Mill discusses utilitarianism in some of his other works, including On Liberty and The Subjection of Women, but Utilitarianism contains his only sustained defence of the theory. In this Broadview Edition, Colin Heydt provides a substantial introduction that will enable readers to understand better the polemical context for Utilitarianism. Heydt shows, for example, how Mill’s moral philosophy grew out of political engagement, rather than exclusively out of a speculative interest in determining the nature of morality. Appendices include precedents to Mill’s work, reactions to Utilitarianism, and related writings by Mill.

From the Introduction In his Autobiography, Mill predicts that the essay On Liberty is "likely to survive longer than anything else that I have written." He goes on to say that the essay is the expression of a "single truth: " "the importance, to man and society, of a large variety of types of character, and of giving full freedom to human nature to expand itself in innumerable and conflicting directions." In the essay itself, Mill defines his subject as "the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual." He defends the absolute freedom of individuals to engage in conduct not harmful to others, and the near-absolute freedom to express and discuss opinions of all kinds. Mill''s essay survives, as he had predicted, because his powerful message is still widely rejected by the powerful, and by those who continue to seek power over the lives of others.

The object of this Essay is to explain the grounds of an opinion which I have held from the very earliest period when I had formed any opinions at all on social or political matters. -J.S. Mill

In this 1844 collection of essays, most of which had not been previously published, one of the foremost figures of Western intellectual thought in the late 19th century tackles some technical matters of economics regarding international commerce and consumption.Required reading for anyone wishing a thorough foundation in modern economics, this work includes the essays: . "Of the Laws of Interchange Between Nations; and the Distribution of the Gains of Commerce Among the Countries of the Commercial World." "Of the Influence of Consumption on Production." "On the Words Productive and Unproductive." "On Profits, and Interest." "On the Definition of Political Economy; and on the Method of Investigation Proper to It"English philosopher and politician JOHN STUART MILL (1806-1873) served as an administrator in the East Indian Company from 1823 to 1858, and as a member of parliament from 1865 to 1868. Among his essays on a wide range of political and social thought are Principles of Political Economy (1848), Considerations on Representative Government (1861), and The Subjection of Women (1869).

The Subjection of Women is a profound and progressive work that argues for the equality of women in all aspects of society. Written in 1861 and published in 1869, Mill''s essay challenges the legal and social inequalities faced by women, advocating for their complete emancipation. The work is structured as a logical argument against the societal norms and legal structures that subjugated women. Mill begins by addressing the natural differences argument, which claimed that women were naturally inferior to men. He refutes this by asserting that such beliefs are the result of social conditioning rather than inherent nature. Mill argues that women''s abilities are stifled by lack of opportunity and education, and that given equal chances, they would demonstrate capabilities equal to men''s. He further argues that the subordination of women is a hindrance to human progress and that society would benefit greatly from the contributions of women if they were allowed to participate equally. Mill supports his arguments with examples from history and contemporary society, demonstrating how the liberation of women leads to overall societal advancement.

A prodigiously brilliant thinker who sharply challenged the beliefs of his age, the political and social radical John Stuart Mill was the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century. Regarded as one of the sacred texts of liberalism, his great work On Liberty argues lucidly that any democracy risks becoming a ''tyranny of opinion'' in which minority views are suppressed if they do not conform with those of the majority. Written in the same period as On Liberty, shortly after the death of Mill''s beloved wife and fellow-thinker Harriet, The Subjection of Women stresses the importance of equality for the sexes. Together, the works provide a fascinating testimony to the hopes and anxieties of mid-Victorian England, and offer a compelling consideration of what it truly means to be free.

The writings of John Stuart Mill have become the cornerstone of political liberalism. Collected for the first time in this volume are Mill’s three seminal and most widely read works: On Liberty, The Subjection of Women, and Utilitarianism. A brilliant defense of individual rights versus the power of the state, On Liberty is essential reading for anyone interested in political thought and theory. As Bertrand Russell reflected, “On Liberty remains a classic . . . the present world would be better than it is, if [Mill’s] principles were more respected.” This Modern Library Paperback Classics edition includes newly commissioned endnotes and commentary by Dale E. Miller, and an index.

John Stuart Mill’s "On Liberty" was first published in 1859. In the 21st century this text confirms Socrates’ claim that "it is only the life of true philosophy that scorns the life of political ambition" (Plato’s Republic, 521). Mill’s thinking about freedom in civic and social life examines fundamental principles shared among conservative, liberal, and radical politicians. The life of true philosophy stands outside the political battles that are rampant in society and seeks the political wisdom that is necessary for a good life in any age. "On Liberty" should be read alongside the classic documents that declare the basic nature and importance of human freedom and liberty such as the "U.S. Declaration of Independence" (1776), the French "Rights of Man" (1789), "The Declaration of Sentiments at the Seneca Falls Convention" (1848), and the "United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (1948). When the officials of any government seek to change the laws that regulate individual liberty or when rhetoricians seek to change public opinion about what individuals should or should not be allowed to say or do, Mill’s "On Liberty" serves as an antidote to the poisons of excessive intrusion into the lives of individuals. Mill was born in London, the son of James Mill, a Scotsman who came to England and joined with Jeremy Bentham to develop utilitarianism. Today John Stuart Mill is also known as one of the major proponents of utilitarianism, but the depth of his philosophical thinking goes far beyond the disputes among ethical theorists. In spite of his criticism of some aspects of Immanuel Kant’s philosophy, his ethical position eventually embraces Kant’s most basic concepts: autonomy and universality. Mill contributed to logic, philosophy of science, epistemology, economics, psychology, politics, and ethics. He was also an early proponent of the rights of women.