John Stuart Mill, an English philosopher, political economist, civil servant, and Member of Parliament, was an influential liberal thinker of the 19th century. He was an exponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by Jeremy Bentham, although his conception of it was very different from Bentham's. His conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state control. In 'On Liberty', he addresses the nature and limits of the power that can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual. He was also a proponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by Jeremy Bentham. Some have also argued that he preferred Socialism to Liberalism."Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, whether it professes to be enforcing the will of God or the injunctions of men."—John Stuart Mill