Utilitarianism/On Liberty Audiobook By John Stuart Mill cover art

Utilitarianism/On Liberty

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Utilitarianism/On Liberty

By: John Stuart Mill
Narrated by: Derek Le Page
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

John Stuart Mill (1808-1873) was a torchbearer for liberal thought in the 19th century, including liberty of the individual and freedom of speech, and he championed women's suffrage in Parliament. A remarkable man - he learned Greek aged three and at eight had read Herodotus, Xenophon and Plato - he campaigned all his life for a just society. These two essays are his key works.

In Utilitarianism (published in 1863, four years after On Liberty), Mill observes that 'the principle of utility' equates to the 'greatest-happiness principle' and that this should be the basis of an ethical life. Mill expands on this view in five chapters and deals with difficulties and criticisms, including the balance of individual versus general happiness.

In On Liberty (published in 1859 and written with his wife, Harriet Taylor, who died a year earlier), Mill applied his already established views on utilitarianism to the society and the state. He discusses the necessary balances between authority and liberty; the individual must have freedom, but within a utilitarian (greatest-happiness principle) compass. Nevertheless, he considers the 'tyranny of the majority', and he acknowledges that in certain societies rule by command may benefit the majority. But he emphasises the fundamental importance of individual liberty, so long as it does not harm others. Though it has had its critics, On Liberty remains a key document and has a special resonance for world politics today.

Public Domain (P)2016 Ukemi Productions Ltd
Political Science
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Utilitarianism/On Liberty

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    54
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    54
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    44
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you're thinking of voting Left: READ THIS FIRST

why isn't John Stuart Mill and his Wife (whom Mill partnered with, and championed equality with, for decades) mandatory reading in high-school???

We would be in a better place.

Mill's works are the basis for our modern (small 'l') liberal western society's *actual* progress.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

For deep thinkers

Better have your thinking cap on and keep away all distractions. This is deep but well worth it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Liberty Reawakened

Mill here in lays the framework for the understanding and administration of liberty for individuals and their interaction within society. The exposition is clear and unambiguous to the listening ear. In time of pandemic lockdowns and arbitrary exercise of power by state and federal government, this work is very much the resource to guide the way of rulers and followers. Every person with governmental authority should and must read this work annually. It is the highest priority to understand these principles and review their function within its limitations.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent

brilliant vocabulary, excellent philosophy and ideas with clearly articulated explanation, great narration and pronunciation, thought provoking ideas

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Buy On Liberty separately

It took me a long time to get through Utilitarianism. It's written in a difficult old-timey language and I needed to stop and re-listen to understand, which is usually not a problem for me. On the other side, On liberty is a great piece of literature and political philosophy that deserves your attention, so maybe you should buy it separately and definitely give it your time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Hard To Retain

I understand that this a seminal work but I found it difficult to remember what we said 10 minutes prior. It was read very well so kudos to Mr. La Page.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!