19th Century Utilitarians

About this Collection

The Utilitarians were 19th century British political theorists and journalists who believed that the principle which should govern the actions of government is that which will produce “the greatest happiness of the greatest number” of people. The founder of the school was Jeremy Bentham), who greatly influenced James Mill, the father of John Stuart Mill. Within classical liberalism there was a split between the supporters of natural rights and the utilitarians with the latter eventually becoming the dominant force. The school of English radical Individualists continued to support a natural rights approach but they became the minority by the end of the 19thC.

Key People

Titles & Essays

Group by Category

James Mill

James Mill (contributor)

This is a collection of key extracts by, and essays and study guides about James Mill

See also the following works:

Exploring Ideas:James Mill on Writing his Critical History of India Reading List: Mill-Macaulay Debate on…

John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill (contributor)

This is a collection of key extracts by, and essays and study guides about John Stuart Mill (1806-1873).

See also the following works:

Works in the OLL by John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Timelines:The Life of John Stuart Mill…

Works of Jeremy Bentham: Table of Contents

Jeremy Bentham (author)

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Jeremy Bentham,The Works of Jeremy Bentham,published under the Superintendence of his Executor, John Bowring (Edinburgh: William Tait, 1838-1843). 11 vols.

Vol. 1.…

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Notes About This Collection

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