John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was an English politician, economist, and philosopher. He is best known for his advocacy of liberty and its application to social, political, and economic theory. 

From a young age, Mill became entrenched in classical works in the fields of philosophy and history, amongst others. As a young man, Mill attended University College in London while working at the East India Company. 

Mill’s significant contributions lie in two key categories: liberty and economics.

In 1859, Mill published On Liberty, which expressed his unwavering support for individuals to have the freedom to do as they please as long as it does not harm anyone else. Mill writes, “The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That 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. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant…The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns him, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.” Later, Mill also brings awareness to the importance of the freedom of speech to create ideas leading towards social progress and a free press to help spread those ideas. 

Much of Mill’s work related to economics came in the form of his 1863 book entitled, Utilitarianism, the first work to widely examine the theory. As a utilitarian, Mill believed individuals are constantly in positions to make decisions and when they are, they should always choose the option that results in the greatest aggregate happiness. Within this theory, Mill also developed the concept of higher and lower pleasures–intellectual pleasure being of more value than physical pleasure. Accumulating pleasures while minimizing pain guides you in the direction of happiness and is therefore, the goal of rational beings.

In the 1860’s Mill served as a Member of Parliament, advocating for women’s rights and an extension of suffrage, which he goes on to explain in more detail in his 1861 work, Considerations on Representative Government. In addition, Mill was also a staunch supporter of the abolitionist movement in the United States.

For his lifelong fight for liberty and his philosophical developments related to individual sovereignty and freedom, John Stuart Mill can be considered a key figure in the battle for free societies around the world.

Sources: 

Wikipedia entry

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy