Dissertations and Discussions

work by Mill

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June 25, 2026

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Dissertations and Discussions is a collection of essays by John Stuart Mill, first published in two volumes in 1859. These essays were written for various journals between 1832 and 1845, showcasing Mill's evolving interests and intellectual development.1

The collection includes significant pieces such as "Thoughts on Poetry and Its Varieties," "Bentham," and "Coleridge." These essays demonstrate Mill's ability to synthesize complex ideas and his nuanced approach to philosophy, politics, and literature. The work reflects his transition from a more rigid adherence to his father's utilitarian principles to a broader, more catholic view of human happiness and intellectual inquiry.1

Mill's rigorous education, overseen by his father James Mill, provided him with a strong foundation in logic, economics, and philosophy, which informed his later writings. Dissertations and Discussions offers insight into Mill's intellectual journey and his contributions to English radical thought.231

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John Stuart Mill
Public life and writing of John Stuart Mill
…two volumes (1859) of Mill’s Dissertations and Discussions and give evidence of the increasing breadth of his interests. Among the more important are “Thoughts on Poetry and Its Varieties” (1833), “Writings of Alfred de Vigny” (1838), “Bentham” (1838), “Coleridge” (1840), “M. De Tocqueville on Democracy in America” (1840), “Michelet’s History…
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…two volumes (1859) of Mill’s Dissertations and Discussions and give evidence of the increasing breadth of his interests. Among the more important are “Thoughts on Poetry and Its Varieties” (1833), “Writings of Alfred de Vigny” (1838), “Bentham” (1838), “Coleridge” (1840), “M. De Tocqueville on Democracy in America” (1840), “Michelet’s History…
Read More