In the following pages, I intend to examine—for lack of a better expression—the metaphysics of Mill’s faith in the future of scientific progress. To put it in another way, how optimistic was Mill on the coming of the age of reason? How confident was he that his arguments for free expression applied in practice? In order to develop a satisfactory answer to this excruciating set of questions, I will begin with proofs of Mill’s optimism, characteristic of the Enlightenment, regarding the gradual progress of reason over time. Afterwards, I will juxtapose these against other passages in “On Liberty” where Mill indicated his skepticism regarding the capacity of the people for rational thought. Then, I will further complicate things by bringing in Mill’s later attempt in order to introduce The Religion of Humanity. With this addition, the argument will move away from a mere consideration of the intellectual capabilities of the people towards a deeper criticism of modern philosophy. In this way my intention is to suggest that Mill was not at all unaware of the looming crisis of the Enlightenment.
Positive Progress or the Crisis of Enlightenment
JVF Conference Papers
