Abstract

This work traces Mill's philosophical, social, and political thought between 1830 and 1870, and its subsequent influence upon European and non-European thought. During the latter half of the 1830's, Mill's activities presupposed a political-theoretical strategy which was directed towards renovating British society and culture. By 1841 Mill realized that this strategy had failed to produce reform and another period of activity began. Although the aim of Mill's strategy remained the same, its theoretic formulation and the means for establishing it had changed. These now included the reconstruction of a "new philosophy" to be founded upon a revision of the empiricist-associationist psychology. In the middle of the 1860's, this period culminated in debates with Hamilton on the Examination which marked the peak of Mill's success and philosophic influence. However, by the 1870's these debates ended with a decline of interest in both philosophies, and attention turned to Darwin, Spencer, and neo-Hegelians.--M. M. M.