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Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill

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John Stuart Mill is most popularly known for his development of utilitarianism. In short, utilitarianism is the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. In his book about utilitarianism he writes about many things, one of those being liberty and how much should be giving to a society. He discusses if the people should be allowed to voice their own opinion. He describes how they could voice it in many ways. One way was through the government and the other was through their own voice. When it comes down to it Mill states that it is wrong to silence somebody’s opinion. Mill goes on further to prove his point by responding to criticism. There are four pieces of criticism that Mill looks to respond to. Knowing the response to these forms …show more content…

This is true especially if the opinion is right. Just imagine if someone was not allowed to share their opinion on slavery during the late 1850s. It still might be seen as okay in today’s standards. One quotes that embodies why people holding their opinion’s to them selves is, “…the human race, posterity as well as the existing generation” ( ). One justification that silencing opinions is that humans are not perfect, humans are not flawless and are often wrong. So if humans are wrong let them correct themselves by letting people voice their opinion. Give them the liberty to say something when something is out of order. Mill offers an analysis on why the liberty of opinion is so often but under the microscope. It is because people are to self confident and they do not recognize their own infallibility. This confidence is not justified and that people are robbed from truly good …show more content…

The legal persecution for opinions is still significant in society. A classic claim of this is blasphemy or atheism. Mill contends that if there was strong persecution, especially from the government, this would force people to hide their views. People need the liberty to show their opinion because, if they are contained to where they cannot say anything, people in power will build unjust societies and suppress people. With the views of Mill, this would not be justified. The greatest goodness theory would not be true. People would not be happy living in a suppressed

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Thus, demonstrating how critical the right to speak is for commoners, who have a great amount of opinions in their mind that they are not allowed to say in an absolute monarchy. Voltaire’s statement played a large role in the democratic government of the 17th and 18th centuries due to how the freedom of speech was one of the most vital aspects in a democracy. The provision to speak one’s mind from a democratic government not only strengthens society and prevents revolts from the civilians, but it will also increase and spread of culture and ideas throughout the country. For example, Martin Luther’s decision to publicize his thoughts about

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When studying philosophy, a student becomes very aware of the contradiction and different opinions of highly remarked philosophers. Many students become frustrated with the opposition and question the importance of the study all together. Others choose to indulge in these differences to further their understanding beyond what he/ she thought capable of beforehand. The obvious contradictions between Kant’s deontology, and Bentham’s and Mill’s utilitarianism is a perfect example of such occasion in philosophy.

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Introduction: John Stuart Mill essay on Consideration On representative Government, is an argument for representative government. The ideal form of government in Mill's opinion. One of the more notable ideas Mill is that the business of government representatives is not to make legislation. Instead Mill suggests that representative bodies such as parliaments and senates are best suited to be places of public debate on the various opinions held by the population and to act as watchdogs of the professionals who create and administer laws and policy.

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