“It is agreed to by all really disinterested persons, that the government of England—not any individual government, but the general system—is one mass of immorality in practice, whatever it may be in theory. The whole working is founded on a system of conventional hypocrisy from first to last. The general modes of doing business are … Continue reading English government summarised
Category: History
A Radical Journalist on Teachers in the early Nineteenth Century
The Examiner was among the greatest Radical newspapers published in England during the early nineteenth century; and its best writer was Albany Fonblanque, whose articles mixed a nimble wit with the most biting and impressive political analysis. In one article from 1827 he addressed the fate of teachers; and for a text of nearly two … Continue reading A Radical Journalist on Teachers in the early Nineteenth Century
A Curious Episode in the Life of John Stuart Mill
William Thomas Thornton, one of John Stuart Mill's colleagues at the East India Company, (and a writer on political economy—it seems the Company's employees were involved in serious intellectual activities, of a kind that we can scarcely imagine taking place among the professional classes today), recorded a remarkable episode in Mill's life in a book … Continue reading A Curious Episode in the Life of John Stuart Mill
James Mill on the Law of Nations
In another of his essays for the supplement to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Scottish radical James Mill considered the Law of Nations—or what we today know as international law—and how such laws might be enforced. Mill remarks upon the general outlawry that characterises international relations thus: "Have nations, in reality, combined, so constantly and steadily, … Continue reading James Mill on the Law of Nations
Literary life in the English countryside
The passage below belongs to one of the drafts of John Stuart Mill's autobiography, and was not included in the final version. It is a description of a daily routine that any philosopher must envy: continual study, easy access to natural scenery, and the relaxation of social gatherings. As it is difficult to conceive of … Continue reading Literary life in the English countryside
Mill, Ricardo, and the Folly of Tradition
The coronation of George IV took place in 1821; and it was already evident to rational men, two hundred years ago, that such a ceremony was ludicrous—a relic of "barbarous ages", entirely unworthy of a civilised people. James Mill, the Scottish-born radical, in a letter to his intimate friend, David Ricardo, the economist, argued that … Continue reading Mill, Ricardo, and the Folly of Tradition
J. S. Mill: How to Become a Philosopher
In an 1862 letter, John Stuart Mill gave the following advice to an aspiring writer: "The way to cultivate a really philosophical intellect is to go on long thinking out subjects for one’s own instruction—with a view to understand them as thoroughly as possible oneself; reading in the meanwhile whatever is best worth reading on … Continue reading J. S. Mill: How to Become a Philosopher
James Mill on Evidence
In 1826, the Westminster Review, the organ of Benthamite Radicalism, published James Mill's review of a book entitled Essays on the Formation and Publication of Opinions. The Essays were written by Samuel Bailey, a Radical who shared the commitment of Bentham, and the Mills, to rational political analysis. Bailey's argument was, that since belief is … Continue reading James Mill on Evidence
James Mill on how the Few Oppress the Many
In an 1835 article entitled 'State of the Nation' for the London Review, the Scottish radical James Mill considered the progress of reform in Britain, and how society might be further improved. One of his objects was to illustrate how the ruling Few, throughout history, erected barriers to any reforms that might promote the interests … Continue reading James Mill on how the Few Oppress the Many
Jeremy Bentham answers Jordan Peterson
In his exceptionally popular book, Twelve Rules for Life (2018), the Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson advised his readers to "Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world." This conservative maxim, or fallacy, was answered by the great English radical, Jeremy Bentham, two hundred years ago: "Nearly akin to the cry of popular … Continue reading Jeremy Bentham answers Jordan Peterson
Notes in the Margins of the Days 