Publication

1874 - Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, London, England

Language

English

Word Count

64,250 words, Guess

Page Count

257 pages

Identifiers

and 3 more

Classifications

  • LCCBL51 .M6 1874

Description

In these three essays, "Nature," "The Utility of Religion," and "Theism," published between 1850 and 1870, English social and political philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) gives his most sustained analysis of religious belief. Though not prepared to abandon the idea of an overall design in nature, Mill nonetheless argues that its violence and capriciousness militate against moral ends in nature's workings. Moreover, any designer of such a world as we experience it cannot be all powerful and all good, for nature is "too clumsily made and capriciously governed." However, since humankind, by and large, cannot, it seems, be deprived of religion, Mill espouses what he calls a "religion of humanity," whose concepts of justice, morality, and altruism are based on classical models and on the New Testament Sermon on the Mount rather than on the vindictive God of the Old Testament and the world-hating doctrines of St. Paul.

Subjects

Other Editions

  • Nature, the Utility of religion, and TheismLongmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer1874-01-01
Show 25 more editions

15 other editions not shown

Similar Books

Reader Reviews

No reviews yet for this book.

Be the first to share your thoughts!