On Liberty Author:John Stuart Mill Influenced by the Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham, Mill [1806-1873] 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 di... more »stinction 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" to appear in English based on utilitarian values rather than natural right.« less