John Stuart Mill
/ˌdʒɒn ˌstjuːət ˈmɪl/
/ˌdʒɑːn ˌstuːərt ˈmɪl/
- (1806-73) an English philosopher whose ideas had a great influence on modern thought. His best-known works include On Liberty (1859), in which he argued that people should be free to do what they want if this does not harm others, and Utilitarianism (1863), in which he explained and supported the theory that actions are morally right if they lead to happiness. He criticized the way in which married women were treated at the time.