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John Stuart Mill

Definition

John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher and economist who is best known for his contributions to the theory of utilitarianism and political economy. He advocated for individual freedom against state control.

Analogy

Think of John Stuart Mill as the coach of a soccer team, where each player represents an individual in society. The coach's goal is to ensure that every player has the freedom to play their game while also contributing to the overall success of the team (society).

Related terms

Utilitarianism: This is a philosophical belief that actions are right if they benefit the majority. It's like choosing a family vacation destination based on what most family members want.

Liberalism: A political ideology that values individual freedoms, equality, democracy, and human rights. It's like being at a buffet where everyone can choose what they want to eat without restrictions.

Political Economy: The study of production and trade and their relations with law, custom, and government. It's like looking at how all parts of a car work together - from engine design (production) to fuel consumption (trade) - under different driving rules (law), driving habits (custom), and traffic regulations (government).