Thomas Gradgrind, a practical man, brings up his two children, Louisa and Tom, accordingly, thoroughly suppressing the imaginative and emotional sides of their natures with devastating consequences.

"On Liberty and Other Essays" brings together the most important works of philosopher and political economist John Stuart Mill. In "On Liberty" Mill eloquently ponders the question of where the line should be drawn between the freedom of individuals and the authority of the state. As he puts it, "The struggle between liberty and authority is the most conspicuous feature in the portions of history with which we are earliest familiar..." Second in this...

This title consists of two essays on utilitarianism, written from opposite points of view, by J.J.C. Smart and Bernard Williams. In the first part of the book, Professor Smart advocates a modern and sophisticated version of classical utilitarianism.