The text analyses John Mill’s legacy and how the father of liberalism would

probably appreciate today’s world. The boy genius soon started to formulate liberal
ideas about economics and democracy that dictated the political discussions of the
19th century. Living the revolutionary changes of that time, he supported Benthan’s
utilitarism and the view that educated people (the “clerish”) should have a prominent
role in society and be granted with more power to influence and guide the lower
orders.
In spite of an apparent snobbish feature, his thinking would prove illuminated
for his time. He would have given support for many modern changes, such as the
universal vote and women’s rights. But he would have condemned Brexit referendum
(for the voters’ lack of knowledge), the election of Donald Trump (an anti-intellectual
demagogue) and the intellectual atmosphere in the Western Hemisphere. He may
consider that liberal thought had been oppressed by a tyranny of conformity before
Trump’s win and Brexit, when liberals were forced to review everything from free
trade to immigration, the locus of power and the limits of free speech.
Disorienting times like this require the intellectual flexibility and boldness of
the young Mill. His biography reveals that he soon searched answers beyond
Bentham’s concepts and he progressively came from reformist to conservatism. He
did not deny utilitarism completely, but he qualified it instead, judging some kinds of
pleasure as superior to others. Even what is considered strictly as virtuous act and
could not bring immediate satisfaction– such as being true to your word - proves
vital to well-being.