Can religion be compatible with J. S. Mill’s utilitarian doctrine?

Authors

Abstract

This article critically analyzes the compatibility between religion and J. S. Mill's utilitarianism. First, it considers biographical and philosophical aspects that contrasts Mill's skepticism with his religious interest. Next, it discusses the theological and naturalistic arguments that led him to reject religion while advocating for a secular alternative. Finally, the paper examines the connections between utilitarianism and Christian ethics. Finally, it addresses Mill's liberal perspective and his defense of religious freedom as a fundamental element for general happiness.

Keywords:

utilitarism, religion, religion of humanity, moral, christianity, liberalism

References

Valdés.

Álvarez, Í. (2010). La desviación de J.S. Mill: el puesto de las emociones en el utilitarismo. Télos, 17(2), 145-170.

Carr, R. (1962). The Religious Thought of John Stuart Mill: A Study in Reluctant Scepticism. Journal of History of Ideas, 23(4), 475-495.

Crimmins, J. (2013). Religion, Secularization and Political Thought. Routledge.

Cowling, M. (1990). Mill and Liberalism. Cambridge University Press.

Devigne, R. (2006). Reforming Reformed Religion: J. S. Mill's Critique of the Enlightenment's Natural Religion. The American Political Sciences Review, 100(1), 15-27.

Guisán, E. (2014). Introducción. En J. Mill, El Utilitarismo (pp. 9-46). Alianza.

López, G. (2014). Introducción. En J. Mill, Tres ensayos sobre la religión (pp. 9-50). Trotta.

Matz, L. (2009). Introduction. En J. Mill, Three Essays on Religion (pp.13-56). Broadview Editions.

Megill, A. (1972). J. S. Mill's Religion of Humanity and the Second Justification for the Writing of On Liberty. The Journal of Politics, 34 2), 612-629.

Millar, A. (1998). Mill on Religion. En J. Skorupski (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to Mill (pp. 173-196). Cambridge University Press.

Mill, J. S. (1865). Aguste Comte and positivism. Westminster Review.

Mill, J. S. (1981). Autobiography and literary essays. Toronto University Press.

Mill, J. S. (1996). Diario. Alianza.

Mill, J. S. (2009). A System of Logic Vol.2. Harper & Brothers.

Mill, J. S. (2014a). Tres ensayos sobre la religión, Trotta.

Mill, J. S. (2014b). Sobre la libertad. Akal.

Mill, J. S. (2014c). El utilitarismo. Alianza.

Mill, J. S y Taylor, H. (1986). The Subjection of Woman. Cambridge University Press.

Priestley, J. (1873). Institutes of Natural and Revealed Religion. J. Johnson.

Scarre, G. (1996). Utilitarism. Routledge.

Scarre, G. (1998). Mill on induction and scientific method. En J. Sorupski (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to Mill (pp. 113-138). Cambridge University Press.

Vergara, J. y Martin, A. (2024). Democracia o mercado. Universitaria.