Podcast: John Stuart Mill I seek happiness by limiting my desires, rather than by satisfying them

This podcast explores the intellectual life and diverse contributions of John Stuart Mill, an influential 19th-century British philosopher. These include his rigorous education, his philosophical development of utilitarianism emphasizing the quality of happiness, and his passionate advocacy of individual liberty and women’s rights. The essays also discuss his significant works, such as System of Logic and On Liberty, revealing his radical empiricism and his ideas about the tyranny of the majority. In addition, the collection offers Mill’s personal reflections on his mental crisis and recovery through poetry, as well as his perspectives on political economy, socialism, and religion. In sum, the excerpts present a multifaceted overview of Mill’s thought, highlighting his quest to reconcile the Enlightenment with 19th-century intellectual currents and his enduring relevance to contemporary debates.