John Stuart Mill and the Meaning of Life

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John Stuart Mill was a pivotal philosopher of the nineteenth century, embodying a prevalent belief that meaningful projects define life. Despite his remarkable career, Mill's personal life was tumultuous, and his quest to understand his struggles offers insight into the idea that projects provide life with meaning. Elijah Millgram posits that Mill's life itself became a project, leading to inevitable tragedy as he navigated this philosophy. This work serves as both a scholarly exploration of Mill's philosophical contributions and a critical engagement with ongoing discussions in moral philosophy about life's meaning—an area often overlooked by academia. It delves into biography while reconstructing key theories and texts in the philosophical canon. Millgram uniquely examines the theory of rationality, questioning how different interpretations of practical reasoning influence the trajectory of one's life. This approach highlights the significance of understanding how we reason about our actions and decisions, ultimately shedding light on the broader implications of Mill's philosophical legacy.