John Stuart Mill – Qualitative Utilitarianism & Liberty
UPSC PSIR | Western Political Thought | Utilitarianism – Phase II
1️⃣ INTRODUCTION
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) modified Bentham’s utilitarianism.
He combines utility with liberty and individuality.
Major works:
- On Liberty
- Utilitarianism
- The Subjection of Women
2️⃣ QUALITATIVE UTILITARIANISM
Mill criticizes Bentham’s purely quantitative approach.
“Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.”
- Higher pleasures → intellectual & moral
- Lower pleasures → physical & sensual
Quality matters more than quantity.
3️⃣ HARM PRINCIPLE
Central concept in On Liberty.
Power can only be exercised to prevent harm to others.
- Self-regarding actions → No state interference
- Other-regarding actions → State may intervene
4️⃣ LIBERTY & INDIVIDUALITY
- Freedom of thought
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of lifestyle
Individuality is essential for social progress.
5️⃣ TYRANNY OF MAJORITY
Mill warns against democratic despotism.
- Majority opinion may suppress minorities
- Social conformity is dangerous
6️⃣ WOMEN & EQUALITY
Mill advocates women’s rights and suffrage.
He links liberty with gender equality.
7️⃣ CRITICISM
- Still based on utility logic
- Elite bias in defining “higher pleasures”
- Ambiguity in harm principle
MAINS QUESTIONS
- Explain Mill’s qualitative utilitarianism.
- Discuss the Harm Principle.
- How does Mill reconcile liberty and utility?
QUICK REVISION MAP
- Higher vs lower pleasures
- Harm principle
- Liberty of thought
- Tyranny of majority
- Women’s rights
Liberty is essential for human development.
Shaktimatha Learning – Utilitarianism Advanced Series
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