Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
John Stuart Mill was a 19th-century philosopher who advocated for individual freedom and the pursuit of happiness. He believed in utilitarianism, which emphasizes maximizing overall happiness for the greatest number of people.
Related terms
Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that promotes actions that produce the greatest amount of happiness or utility for the majority. It focuses on the consequences of actions rather than intentions.
Greatest Happiness Principle: The Greatest Happiness Principle is the core principle of utilitarianism, stating that actions should be judged based on their ability to promote overall happiness or pleasure.
Consequential Ethics: Consequential ethics is an ethical framework that evaluates actions based on their outcomes or consequences. Utilitarianism falls under this category because it prioritizes maximizing happiness.