J.S. Mill: Community Loss from Women's Repression

The question asks which thinker viewed the repression of women as a greater loss to the community than to women themselves. This perspective aligns with the ideas of John Stuart Mill.

Understanding Mill's Argument

John Stuart Mill, a prominent philosopher, strongly advocated for gender equality. In his work, particularly "The Subjection of Women," he argued that:

• Denying women equal rights and opportunities harms not only the women directly but also deprives society of their potential contributions, talents, and perspectives.
• This subjugation acts as a barrier to social progress and represents a significant loss of human capital for the entire community.
• He believed that freeing women would benefit society as a whole, leading to greater overall advancement and well-being.

Evaluating Other Thinkers

While other philosophers like Aristotle, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes discussed societal structures and rights, their views on gender equality did not emphasize this specific aspect of societal loss as prominently as Mill did.

• Aristotle viewed women as naturally inferior.
• John Locke focused more broadly on natural rights, with less explicit focus on women's full equality in the modern sense.
• Thomas Hobbes primarily addressed sovereignty and social order, not the specific societal detriment caused by gender repression.

Therefore, J.S. Mill is the thinker most accurately associated with the view that the repression of women constitutes a greater loss to the community.