John Stuart Mill

This edited collection brings together research by European and American scholars and presents several essays analyzing recent developments in the interpretation of John Stuart Mill. As a lively discussion of Mill's moral and political thought, his influence on contemporary political debates, and the influences that shaped his own thought, this volume explores Mill's intellectual engagement with the Utilitarians and the Romantics, his parliamentary activity and public educative radicalism in Victorian Britain.

Moreover, it also engages with twentieth-century readings of his work, those of Quentin Skinner, Isaiah Berlin and John Rawls in particular. In a rare moment in the history of philosophy theory meets practice with Mill combining the powers of the radical philosopher with a strong desire to contribute to the improvement and welfare of humankind; this volume tries to do justice to both facets of his though and influence.

Review: This collection of essays, written by some of the most distinguished scholars working in Mill studies today, represents a highly original and extremely important re-evaluation of Mill's career. By exposing and exploring Mill's intellectual debt to the Socratic tradition, it will have a profound and lasting impact on future interpretations of Mill's thought, and on our understanding of utilitarian philosophy more generally.

Philip Schofield, Faculty of Laws, UCL, University of London, UK This stimulating collection of original essays reminds modern readers just how deeply Mill's debts to Socratic 'elenchus' were intertwined with his liberal utilitarian normative commitments. David Weinstein, Department of Politics and International Affairs, Wake Forestr University, USA