John Stuart Mill and the Ethic of Human Growth

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 1-25

   2. Mill’s Conception of Human Growth

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 26-61

3. Values

   1. Mill’s Moral Philosophy

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 62-116

   2. On Liberty: Positive and Negative

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 117-157

4. Applications

   1. Liberty, Paternalism, and the Status of Children

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 158-181

   2. Colonialism, Civilization, and Progress

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 182-216

5. Conclusions

   1. Mill’s Ethic of Human Growth: Criticism and Evaluation

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 217-264

   2. Mill on Growth: Summary and Conclusions

      • Don A. Habibi

      Pages 265-277

6. Back Matter

   Pages 279-294

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In this well-researched, comprehensive study of J.S. Mill, Professor Habibi argues that the persistent, dominant theme of Mill's life and work was his passionate belief in human improvement and progress. Several Mill scholars recognize this; however, numerous writers overlook his 'growth ethic', and this has led to misunderstandings about his value system. This study defines and establishes the importance of Mill's growth ethic and clears up misinterpretations surrounding his notions of higher and lower pleasures, positive and negative freedom, the status of children, the legitimacy of authority, and support for British colonialism. Drawing from the entire corpus of Mill's writings, as well as the extensive secondary literature, Habibi has written the most focused, sustained analysis of Mill's grand, leading principle.
This book will be useful to college students in philosophy and intellectual history as well as specialists in these fields.

• freedom
• liberty
• moral philosophy
• morality

• University of North Carolina, Wilmington, USA

  Don A. Habibi

Policies and ethics