Positivism was developed by Auguste Comte (widely regarded as the first sociologist) in the middle of the 19th century. According to Auguste Comte, society undergoes three different phases in its quest for the truth: the theological, the metaphysical and the positive phases.

JOHN STUART MILL (1806 1873), British philosopher, political economist, civil servant and Member of Parliament, was an influential liberal thinker of the 19th century. These five essays represent Mills earliest thoughts on economic matters.

John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 - 8 May 1873), British philosopher, political economist, civil servant and Member of Parliament, was an influential liberal thinker of the 19th century. He was an exponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by Jeremy Bentham, although his conception of it was very different from Bentham's. An excerpt from A System Of Logic Ratiocinative And Inductive reads, "Truths are known to us in two ways: some are known directly, and of themselves; some through the medium of other truths. The former are the subject of Intuition, or Consciousness; the latter, of...

On Liberty, captured here in all 5 of its parts, is a hallmark in the civil rights movement, political philosophy, women's rights, and sociology. It is essential reading for any scholar or lover of freedom and equality. In Mill's own Words, "The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it."

The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill took thirty years to complete and is acknowledged as the definitive edition of J.S. Mill and as one of the finest works editions ever completed. Mill's contributions to philosophy, economics, and history, and in the roles of scholar, politician and journalist can hardly be overstated and this edition remains the only reliable version of the full range of Mill's writings. Each volume contains extensive notes, a new introduction and an index. Many of the volumes have been unavailable for some time, but the Works are now again available, both as a complete...

The Origin of Liberalism. Influenced by the Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham, Mill adopted a modified laissez-faire position, believing in the efficiency of free enterprise, but aware of the frequent failure of the market to maximize utility. Later refining this stance, he argued that the promotion of happiness is a moral duty (though he made a clear distinction between desirable and undesirable forms of pleasure). These ideas had a decisive influence on Mill's classic 1859 essay, perhaps the most celebrated defense of individual freedom and self-protection based on utilitarian values...

"Reasonably priced and beautifully produced. A clear and helpful introduction by Susan Okin, one of the leading feminist scholars of our generation, as well as a useful bibliography and chronology of Mill's life. . . . Invaluable for teaching and scholarship alike." --Ian Shapiro, Yale University

John Stuart Mill was a child prodigy who, in adulthood, embraced social change, advocating the abolition of slavery, votes for the working class, and total, absolute gender equality 'The Subjection of Women' is a wonderfully rational destruction of the arguments advanced in favour of male dominance. Mill dissects concepts such as Marriage, Employment, and the 'General Good', proving that women are not the 'naturally' weaker sex. In politics, the arts, science and a host of other roles, women have shown themselves equal to men. It is the social environment that lowers female aspirations,...