Review Of "John Stuart Mill: A Biography" By N. Capaldi

Document Type

Book Review

Publication Date

10-1-2004

Published In

Choice

Abstract

To write a biography of a philosopher's life as well as his ideas requires a combination of gifts: historical knowledge, psychological insight, philosophical acumen, interpretive sense, and the ability to let the philosopher speak for himself. These gifts are on display in Capaldi's engaging and revealing biography of J.S. Mill. Capaldi (College of Business Administration, Loyola Univ.) sure-handedly situates Mill in both his social and intellectual milieu, and gives due weight to Mill's complicated relationship with his family, especially his distinguished father James Mill, and with England itself. Personally, Mill's deep love and appreciation for Harriet Taylor is portrayed sensitively and powerfully. Philosophically, Mill is often regarded, along with Jeremy Bentham, as a "classic utilitarian." But what Capaldi's biography shows convincingly is that Mill took at least as much, if not more, from Romanticism than he did from the utilitarianism of Bentham and his father. Mill's project, indeed, can be seen as a masterful attempt to synthesize the best in each, but, if Capaldi is correct, the synthesis tips in the direction of Romanticism, not utilitarianism. This fine biography will be of keen interest to a variety of readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-level students through professionals/practitioners.

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