John Stuart Mill, Linchpin Between Classical and Modern Liberalism
Description
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) wasn’t just a brilliant thinker—he was the product of an intense intellectual environment, shaped from childhood by his father, James Mill, and the utilitarian circle of Jeremy Bentham. Trained rigorously in logic, philosophy, and economics, Mill was expected to carry forward the utilitarian mission of maximizing happiness through reason and reform. But this pressure came at a cost. By his early twenties, Mill suffered a crisis that led him to question everything he had been taught.
In this episode, we explore:
🔹 How did Mill’s upbringing shape his philosophy?
🔹 What led to his nervous breakdown, and how did poetry help him recover?
🔹 How did Mill balance rationalism with emotional depth in his work?
🔹 What were his views on politics, liberty, and controversial issues like colonialism?
🔹 How did Mill’s ideas both reflect and challenge the intellectual movements of his time?
By placing Mill in his historical and social context, we uncover the complex forces that shaped his thought—and why his ideas remain so relevant today.
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