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Philosophical Haiku

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

by Terence Green

The worst tyranny:
Fear not the oppressive state
but nosey neighbours.

John Stuart Mill’s upbringing was not entirely typical. His father James was chummy with Jeremy Bentham, and shared Bentham’s enthusiasm for the utilitarian approach to life. In practice, this meant that basing your decisions upon your feelings was seen as a weak, womanly thing, while being rational about everything was manly and admirable.

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