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John Stuart Mill and the Employment of Married Women: Reconciling Utility and Justice

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  • Nathalie Sigot

    (PHARE - Pôle d'Histoire de l'Analyse et des Représentations Économiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)

  • Christophe Beaurain

    (GEOLAB - Laboratoire de Géographie Physique et Environnementale - UBP - Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 - IR SHS UNILIM - Institut Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société - UNILIM - Université de Limoges - UCA [2017-2020] - Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne)

Abstract

This paper explores the link between utilitarianism and feminism through the positions of John Stuart Mill. We try to reconcile Mill's conviction about the necessity of establishing equality between sexes with his position concerning the employment of married women. This reconciliation has already been attempted by other researchers. Our perspective is slightly different in that we seek to establish a globally coherent position by examining Mill's various writings in order to evaluate his feminism in terms of his utilitarian philosophy.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie Sigot & Christophe Beaurain, 2009. "John Stuart Mill and the Employment of Married Women: Reconciling Utility and Justice," Post-Print hal-00637276, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00637276
    DOI: 10.1017/S1053837209990046
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00637276
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    1. Robert W. Dimand & Evelyn L. Forget & Chris Nyland, 2004. "Retrospectives: Gender in Classical Economics," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 18(1), pages 229-240, Winter.
    2. Mendus, Susan, 1994. "John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor on Women and Marriage," Utilitas, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(2), pages 287-299, November.
    3. Steven G. Medema, 2004. "Mill, Sidgwick, and the Evolution of the Concept of Market Failure," CAE Working Papers 03, Aix-Marseille Université, CERGAM.
    4. Robert Dimand & Chris Nyland (ed.), 2003. "The Status of Women in Classical Economic Thought," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2229.
    5. Steven G. Medema, 2007. "The Hesitant Hand: Mill, Sidgwick, and the Evolution of the Theory of Market Failure," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 39(3), pages 331-358, Fall.
    6. Michèle A. Pujol, 1992. "Feminism And Anti-Feminism In Early Economic Thought," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 362.
    7. Ronald Bodkin, 1999. "Women's Agency In Classical Economic Thought: Adam Smith, Harriet Taylor Mill, And J. S. Mill," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 45-60.
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