James Mill Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

James loiter - Research Paper ExampleUnderstanding Mills advocacy of commerce as a response to the specialised conditions of nineteenth-century Britain underscores important aspects of his work that are often overlooked. Mills assessment of the amicable benefits of the marketplace is considerably more cautious and skeptical than is often understood in economic interpretations of his utilitarianism. He is often mistaken for a theorist who thought that social sentiments were irrelevant to human happiness. Mill negatively assessed social sentiments because in this context the predominant social sentiments were aimed at maintaining deference to ascribed social status. He also believed that if social sentiments were egalitarian, they contributed positively to human happiness. Indeed, what is most often overlooked is that Mill was critical of an excessive preoccupation with interests. He believed that the esteem of others was a critical part of human happiness and that it was undesira ble to pursue interests to the exception of cultivating affective ties. From a contemporary perspective, it is important to understand that Mills theory in favor of the market had a specific historical reference to the conditions of nineteenth-century Europe. For that reason, his theory does not provide a normative basis for economic liberalization today in all straightforward way. We ought to understand the early history of capitalism as a specific ideological response to the shortcomings of traditional societies-not just in economics but in basic social and political values.... He is often mistaken for a theorist who thought that social sentiments were irrelevant to human happiness. Mill negatively assessed social sentiments because in his context the predominant social sentiments were aimed at maintaining deference to ascribed social status. He also believed that if social sentiments were egalitarian, they contributed positively to human happiness. Indeed, what is most often ove rlooked is that Mill was critical of an excessive preoccupation with interests. He believed that the esteem of others was a critical part of human happiness, and that it was undesirable to pursue interests to the exception of cultivating affective ties. From a contemporary perspective, it is important to understand that Mills theory in favor of the market had a specific historical reference to the conditions of nineteenth-century Europe. For that reason, his theory does not provide a normative basis for economic liberalization today in any straightforward way. We ought to understand the early history of capitalism as a specific ideological response to the shortcomings of traditional societies-not just in economics, but in basic social and political values. Commerce was recommended by early nineteenth century utilitarians as a means for bringing about conditions in which a transition to liberal democracy could be realized. Market societys focus on economic interests would increase th e expectations of the traditionally poor majority. The legitimacy of the disproportionate material benefits enjoyed by the traditional oligarchy would wane. This would erode the hierarchical social sentiments that supported the power of the oligarchy. This created the historical possibility of reforming social sentiments in an