John Stuart Mill

The Contest in America (eBook, ePUB)

Freedom and Conflict: Insights on Civil War and Democracy from a 19th Century Thinker

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

John Stuart Mill's 'The Contest in America' is a thought-provoking and insightful analysis of the American Civil War, written in a clear and persuasive style typical of Mill's works. Published in 1862, the book provides a detailed examination of the political and moral issues surrounding the conflict, emphasizing the importance of individual liberty and the consequences of slavery. Mill's rational arguments and deep understanding of democracy make this book a valuable contribution to the study of the Civil War and political philosophy of the time. His impartial and logical approach to the subject matter sets this book apart from other contemporaneous works. As a prominent political thinker and advocate of utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill was uniquely qualified to address the social and political implications of the American Civil War. His belief in individual freedom and equal rights informs the analysis in this book, shedding light on the larger philosophical debates of the era. Mill's nuanced perspective offers readers a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of the conflict and its significance in the broader context of liberal democracy. 'The Contest in America' is a must-read for anyone interested in political theory, history, or the American Civil War. Mill's insightful observations and rigorous analysis make this book a timeless classic that continues to be relevant in today's society.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 20
• Erscheinungstermin: 19. Mai 2021
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4064066094843
• Artikelnr.: 59303184

Autorenporträt

John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 - 8 May 1873), usually cited as J. S. Mill, was a British philosopher, political economist, and civil servant. One of the most influential thinkers in the history of classical liberalism, he contributed widely to social theory, political theory, and political economy. Dubbed "the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century",[8] Mill's conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state and social control.[9] Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham. He contributed to the investigation of scientific methodology, though his knowledge of the topic was based on the writings of others, notably William Whewell, John Herschel, and Auguste Comte, and research carried out for Mill by Alexander Bain. Mill engaged in written debate with Whewell.[10] A member of the Liberal Party, he was also the second Member of Parliament to call for women's suffrage after Henry Hunt in 1832 John Stuart Mill was born at 13 Rodney Street in Pentonville, Middlesex, the eldest son of the Scottish philosopher, historian and economist James Mill, and Harriet Barrow. John Stuart was educated by his father, with the advice and assistance of Jeremy Benthamand Francis Place. He was given an extremely rigorous upbringing, and was deliberately shielded from association with children his own age other than his siblings. His father, a follower of Bentham and an adherent of associationism, had as his explicit aim to create a genius intellect that would carry on the cause of utilitarianism and its implementation after he and Bentham had died. Mill was a notably precocious child. He describes his education in his autobiography. At the age of three he was taught Greek.[14] By the age of eight, he had read Aesop's Fables, Xenophon's Anabasis,[14] and the whole of Herodotus,[14] and was acquainted with Lucian, Diogenes Laërtius, Isocrates and six dialogues of Plato.[14] He had also read a great deal of history in English and had been taught arithmetic, physics and astronomy. At the age of eight, Mill began studying Latin, the works of Euclid, and algebra, and was appointed schoolmaster to the younger children of the family. His main reading was still history, but he went through all the commonly taught Latin and Greek authors and by the age of ten could read Plato and Demosthenes with ease. His father also thought that it was important for Mill to study and compose poetry. One of Mill's earliest poetic compositions was a continuation of the Iliad. In his spare time he also enjoyed reading about natural sciences and popular novels, such as Don Quixote and Robinson Crusoe.