John Stuart Mill; His Life and Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 87 pages of information about John Stuart Mill; His Life and Works.

John Stuart Mill; His Life and Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 87 pages of information about John Stuart Mill; His Life and Works.
powerfully influenced nearly all the young men of the greatest promise.’  In thus referring to the powerful influence exercised by Mr. Mill’s works, I do not wish it to be supposed that this influence is to be measured by the extent to which his books form a part of the university curriculum.  His “Logic” has no doubt become a standard examination-book at Oxford.  At Cambridge the mathematical and classical triposes still retain their former prestige.  The moral science tripos, though increasing in importance, still attracts a comparatively small number of students, and there is probably no other examination for which it is necessary to read Mr. Mill’s “Logic” and “Political Economy.”  This fact affords the most satisfactory evidence that the influence he has exerted is spontaneous, and is therefore likely to be lasting in its effects.  If students had been driven to read his books by the necessity which examinations impose, it is quite possible, that, after the examination, the books might never be looked at again.  A resident, however, at the university can scarcely fail to be struck with the fact, that many who perfectly well know that they will never in any examination be asked to answer a question in logic or political economy are among the most diligent students of Mr. Mill’s books.  When I was an undergraduate, I well remember that most of my friends who were likely to take high mathematical honors were already so ultimately acquainted with Mr. Mill’s writings, and were so much imbued with their spirit, that they might have been regarded as his disciples.  Many looked up to him as their teacher; many have since felt that he then instilled into them principles, which, to a great extent, have guided their conduct in after life.  Any one who is intimately acquainted with Mr. Mill’s writings will readily understand how it is that they possess such peculiar attractiveness for the class of readers to whom I am now referring.  There is nothing more characteristic in his writings than generosity and courage.  He always states his opponent’s case with the most judicial impartiality.  He never shrinks from the expression of opinion because he thinks it unpopular; and there is nothing so abhorrent to him as that bigotry which prevents a man from appreciating what is just and true in the views of those who differ from him.  This toleration, which is so predominant a feature of his writings, is probably one of the rarest of all qualities in a controversialist.  Those who do not possess it always produce an impression that they are unfair; and this impression, once produced, exercises a repelling influence upon the young.  Another cause of the attractiveness of Mr. Mill’s writings is the precision with which his views are expressed, and the systematic form which is given to his opinions.  Confidence is reposed in him as a guide, because it is found that there is some definite goal to which he is leading his readers:  he does not conduct them they know not whither, as
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
John Stuart Mill; His Life and Works from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.