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what was john stuart mill's view on the treatment of women

by Tommie Barrows V Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Mill’s view of marriage as a true partnership of equals was also very refreshing. He finds the Victorian legal system’s treatment of women absolutely horrifying, and expresses this in no uncertain terms. One of his rhetoric strategies is comparing the status of women in marriage to slavery, which, as Iris pointed out, is a problematic analogy.

Mill attacks the argument that women are naturally worse at some things than men and should, therefore, be discouraged or forbidden from doing them. He says that we simply don't know what women are capable of, because we have never let them try – one cannot make an authoritative statement without evidence.

Full Answer

What was John Stuart Mill's viewpoint?

John Stuart Mill believed in the philosophy of utilitarianism, which he would describe as the principle that holds "that actions are right in the proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness".

What does Mill say about equality?

Mill believed in complete equality between the sexes, not just women's colleges and, someday, female suffrage but absolute parity; he believed in equal process for all, the end of slavery, votes for the working classes, and the right to birth control (he was arrested at seventeen for helping poor people obtain ...Oct 6, 2008

Why is JS Mill regarded as a feminist?

Mill based his feminist views on the harm principle, the idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals. Female oppression is an example of harming individuality and prohibiting freedom, therefore, Mill has undertaken the liberal feminist view of universal female suffrage and the ...

What is John Stuart Mill best known for?

John Stuart Mill's most important works include Principles of Political Economy (1848), On Liberty (1859), Utilitarianism (1861), and The Subjection of Women (1869).

How did John Stuart Mill impact society?

Mill's most important contributions as a philosopher and economist was his advocacy for mandatory and widespread education for all citizens, including the poor, as a way to provide a fair start in what he called the "race of life" for all people so that everyone would have the opportunity to prosper.

CHAPTER I

THE object of this Essay is to explain as clearly as I am able, the grounds of an opinion which I have held from the very earliest period when I had formed any opinions at all on social or political matters, and which, instead of being weakened or modified, has been constantly growing stronger by the progress of reflection and the experience of life: That the principle which regulates the existing social relations between the two sexes—the legal subordination of one sex to the other—is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other..

CHAPTER II

IT will be well to commence the detailed discussion of the subject by the particular branch of it to which the course of our observations has led us: the conditions which the laws of this and all other countries annex to the marriage contract.

What did John Stuart Mill think of women?

He writes about women having equal rights as men and implies that if women were given the same opportunities as men then they would feel as human as the rest of mankind. Women in his culture were treated differently than men, but he says that if they were treated the same then women now would probably have the same opportunities as men and it would not be seen as something that is not the social norm for women to do. With women being treated similar to men the roles and status of women would have been different in his culture as well as in ours, women would not be seen as only caretakers nor would women be seen so inferior to men because they would be seen as capable of doing many things. Also, because of the way women were treated in earlier times, it does seem possible that one may experience the sense of not "being a human being like any other". During the time that Mill lived women in his culture were treated much more differently than how women are treated today. If people from his time saw how women are treated today they would probably think that there is something wrong with society because women were only supposed to be in the home and they should not have the same opportunities or rights as men do because the male was dominant and women were inferior to

What was the significance of John Stuart Mill's work?

His work analyzes and questions the everyday perspectives on women’s rights, and challenges common societal notions. Many philosophers today look to his work for a variety of reasons; some applaud his work for being ahead of it’s time. Others dismiss it, claiming that it’s flawed due to personal attachment. Both sides however regard Mill’s writing

What are the two forms of oppression women face?

Women face two key forms of oppression in this world, powerlessness and exploitation. These two forms fall into Iris M. Young’s ideas of oppression in her article “Five Faces of Oppression”. The definition of cultural imperialism and exploitation used in this essay are taken from Young’s essay. Cultural imperialism is where the dominant customs and morals of a society are rendered as the norm and those who are not in the norm are considered others. Exploitation is a form of oppression where a class

Who are the two philosophers who are considered feminists?

roles in government and society. Two great thinkers John Stuart Mill and Plato, are apart of this small group of philosophers and have even been described as feminists. In this essay, I will discuss the ideas of Mill and Plato that have led to their feminist epithets and whether or not I think it is true. Mill is considered to be one of the earliest feminists in history because of his campaign for gender equality. In Mill’s essay ‘Subjection of Women‘, he argues strongly for women’s rights, and gender

What is the French Lieutenant's Woman?

A Study on Metafictive Devices in The French Lieutenant’s Woman Abstract The French Lieutenant’s Woman is a splendid literary work written by English novelist John Fowles. It was published in 1969 and received universally acknowledged reputation as a masterpiece of postmodern novel. With intricate plot, the novel is regarded as a compelling historiographic metafiction in contemporary British literature. The characteristics of this novel are the metafictive devices employed by the author

Who are the people who have left a mark on the public?

Certain individuals, such as Abraham Lincoln, John Stuart Mill, and Christine de Pizan have left permanent marks on public opinion because of their large and effective contributions to that progress. The tone and method of the arguments they made for the attainment of universal human rights have cemented its advancement. Even though

What does Mill argue about women?

In contrast, Mill argues that women are just as intelligent, ethical, and hard-working as men. It's just that women haven't been given a chance to make anything of themselves. According to Mill, we will not know a woman's potential until she is free to pursue her own desires.

Who was John Stuart Mill?

One of those individuals was John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), a British philosopher and writer who was fed up with women being treated as subordinate and disempowered. So, in 1869, Mill published his book, The Subjection of Women, which analyzed women's status and advocated for women's equality in Victorian society.

Why did Victorian women not get paid the same as men?

In Victorian society, women were gradually entering the workforce, though they were still excluded from many fields and were not paid the same as men because Victorian society did not think working women could contribute to the good of the whole society. Thus, Mill showed that granting women individual rights did in fact serve the good of society.

What is perfect equality?

Perfect Equality between the Genders. The answer to these injustices in marriage, the workforce, and culture in general is what Mill calls perfect equality between the genders, in which neither gender has any special legal or social privilege or hindrance.

CHAPTER I

THE object of this Essay is to explain as clearly as I am able, the grounds of an opinion which I have held from the very earliest period when I had formed any opinions at all on social or political matters, and which, instead of being weakened or modified, has been constantly growing stronger by the progress of reflection and the experience of life: That the principle which regulates the existing social relations between the two sexes—the legal subordination of one sex to the other—is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other..

CHAPTER II

IT will be well to commence the detailed discussion of the subject by the particular branch of it to which the course of our observations has led us: the conditions which the laws of this and all other countries annex to the marriage contract.

Who is John Stuart Mill?

John Stuart Mill, was the eldest son of the Scottish philosopher and historian, James Mill. J.S Mill was born in Bentonville area London, on 20 th May 1806. J.S Mill, was a political economist, philosopher, civil servant and member of the Parliament in England. He was the promoter of utilitarianism and a powerful champion who fought against ...

Who was J.S. Mill?

J.S Mill was born in Bentonville area London, on 20 th May 1806. J.S Mill, was a political economist, philosopher, civil servant and member of the Parliament in England. He was the promoter of utilitarianism and a powerful champion who fought against the government for the social reforms. Sedgwick claimed, “I should say ...

Who is John Stuart Mill?

Updated February 10, 2019. John Stuart Mill (1806 to 1873) is best known for his writings on liberty, ethics, human rights and economics. The utilitarian ethicist Jeremy Bentham was an influence in his youth. Mill, an atheist, was godfather to Bertrand Russell. A friend was Richard Pankhurst, the husband of suffrage activist Emmeline Pankhurst .

Who wrote the subject of women?

In this, he argues for education of women and for "perfect equality" for them. He credited Harriet Taylor Mill with co-authoring the essay, but few at the time or later took it seriously.

What was Mill's main goal in 1861?

In 1861, Mill had published Considerations on Representative Government, advocating for for a universal but graduated suffrage. This was the basis for many of his efforts in Parliament. Here is an excerpt from chapter VIII, "Of the Extension of the Suffrage," where he discusses women's voting rights:

Who was Emmeline Pankhurst's husband?

A friend was Richard Pankhurst, the husband of suffrage activist Emmeline Pankhurst . John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor had 21 years of an unmarried, intimate friendship. After her husband died, they married in 1851. That same year, she published an essay, "The Enfranchisement of Women," advocating for women being able to vote.

Who was the first M.P. to call for women's vote?

From 1865 to 1868, Mill served as a Member of Parliament. In 1866, he became the first M.P. ever to call for women being given the vote, introducing a bill written by his friend Richard Pankhurst. Mill continued to advocate for women's vote along with other reforms including additional suffrage extensions.

Who is Jone Johnson Lewis?

Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. She is a former faculty member of the Humanist Institute. our editorial process. Jone Johnson Lewis. Updated February 10, 2019. John Stuart Mill (1806 to 1873) is best known for his writings on liberty, ethics, ...

What does Mill argue about women?

Mill argues that married women are essentially enslaved to their husbands, who hold absolute power over them. Women cannot own property of their own and even if their husband dies they cannot legally be considered the guardian of their own children.

What is the purpose of John Stuart Mill's chapter 1?

In The Subjection of Women, John Stuart Mill argues both that the current state of gender inequality is inherently wrong and that it is prohibiting human flourishing. Instead of men holding disproportionate privilege and power, men and women should be entirely equal. Mill laments the fact that the unequal system currently in place was ...

Is divorce expensive?

For a long time, divorce was either nonexistent or prohibitively expensive, which meant that once women married, their tie to their husbands was inescapable. Men do not have to prove themselves qualified or worthy of having power over women and indeed often abuse this power.

Feb 17, 2011

The object of this essay is to explain as clearly as I am able grounds of an opinion which I have held from the very earliest period when I had formed any opinions at all on social political matters, and which, instead of being weakened or modified, has been constantly growing stronger by the progress reflection and the experience of life.

The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor

The object of this essay is to explain as clearly as I am able grounds of an opinion which I have held from the very earliest period when I had formed any opinions at all on social political matters, and which, instead of being weakened or modified, has been constantly growing stronger by the progress reflection and the experience of life.

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