Final answer:
John Stuart Mill advocated for individual freedom, emphasized the harm principle, and supported women's rights and the working class. His work, On Liberty, significantly influenced classical liberalism and libertarian thought, advocating for both positive and negative forms of liberty while also promoting utilitarian values applied impartially.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Stuart Mill's Beliefs on Individual Liberty
John Stuart Mill was a staunch proponent for individual freedom, arguing that it was essential for personal happiness and societal progress. In Mill's seminal work, On Liberty, he espouses the belief that societies should uphold the value of individual freedom even if that means allowing individuals to make choices that could result in personal harm, so long as these choices do not harm others. This idea is encapsulated in Mill's harm principle, a fundamental tenet of liberalism, which posits that actions should only be restricted to prevent harm to others.
Mill was forward-thinking in advocating for the inclusion of women in the political process, linking the right to vote to the capability to enact reforms. He also believed that the government should have a role in improving the lives of the working class, signaling a practical approach to applying utilitarian principles in governance. Through On Liberty, Mill made a significant contribution to nineteenth-century liberalism and laid the foundation for modern libertarian ideals. His concepts of positive and negative liberty became cornerstones of liberal political philosophy.
Furthermore, Mill emphasized impartiality in utilitarian ethics, suggesting that one should make decisions as a "disinterested and benevolent spectator," focusing on the greatest good for the greatest number without bias. His assertion that "it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied" reflects his belief in the importance of higher human pleasures over mere contentment.