[diotima]

I will admit that "rebelled" is a harsh word, however Mill certainly did more than just embrace the Benthamite concept of "Utilitarianism." The doctrine that a dissatisfied Socrates is not only better than a satisfied fool, but somehow happier, too, introduced the idea of quality over quantity into "Utilitarianism."

[general_re]

Oh, I don't mean to imply that Mill was a slavish Benthamite, either - just that Bentham provided the foundation, the springboard from which Mill jumped. As for the "quality versus quantity", I agree - that's how Mill could consistently embrace a Utilitarian viewpoint while at the same time argue that liberty was itself the greatest of all "pleasures".