Abstract

I interpret Mill's utilitarianism as it applies beyond social and individual actions. I consider an analysis of the theory as it pertains to an international activity, colonization. A utilitarian support of colonization would appear to be an aberration of the theory of utilitarianism. That accommodation, however, is not an accident. Mill's utilitarian support of colonization could not be avoided given the structure of his social and political theories. ;First, colonization was engaged in by members of the European community and presumably it was beneficial to them. Second, colonization purportedly would help the colonized reach a level of civilization conducive to self-government. Third, colonization would also benefit England by alleviating some of its domestic ills. On a general utilitarian argument therefore colonization by Great Britain would be justified. ;My interpretation of J. S. Mill's version of utilitarianism and of his social and political philosophies shows explicitly the inherent constituents of the theories that lead him to the support of the activity of colonization. I present an analysis of Mill's support for colonization in three phases. In the first phase, I present the constituents of Mill's utilitarian theory. I conclude that J. S. Mill's utilitarianism is structurally deficient. His utilitarianism cannot predict, as is claimed for it, moral actions. ;In the second stage of the argument, I delineate the important components of Mill's social and political philosophy. I show that his advocacy of individuality relies on the concept of maturity. The vagueness of Mill's concept of maturity opens the possibility of unjustified intervention against the integrity of groups judged not to be mature. ;In the final part of the dissertation, I present Mill's argument for the activity of colonization. He thought colonization could be justified morally because its anticipated results would be consistent with those prescribed by his version of utilitarianism