Let's break down both possibilities:
1. Using Carlyle and Mill for Credibility:
* Carlyle: A Victorian-era essayist, historian, and social critic, Carlyle was known for his strong, often controversial views. He was a proponent of "hero worship" and believed in the importance of strong leadership.
* To use him for credibility: You might invoke Carlyle if you're arguing for strong leadership, the importance of individual heroism, or the need for social reform.
* Mill: A philosopher and economist, Mill championed utilitarianism and individual liberty. He was a strong advocate for free speech, representative government, and women's rights.
* To use him for credibility: You might invoke Mill if you're arguing for individual rights, free speech, or a more just and equitable society.
It's important to note:
* Context is key: How you use these references depends heavily on the specific arguments you're making. A casual mention isn't as impactful as a detailed analysis of their ideas.
* Potential pitfalls: Carlyle's views on race and colonialism are problematic by today's standards, so using him for credibility can be risky. Mill also had some blind spots regarding race and colonialism. Be mindful of this when invoking them.
2. Carlyle and Mill's References to Each Other:
* Carlyle's views on Mill: Carlyle found Mill's utilitarianism too cold and uninspiring. He criticized Mill's focus on reason and logic, seeing it as a threat to strong leadership and traditional values. He saw Mill as representative of a "mechanistic" view of society that devalued the individual spirit.
* Mill's views on Carlyle: Mill respected Carlyle's passion and eloquence, but he disagreed with his social and political ideas. He felt that Carlyle's embrace of "hero worship" was dangerous and anti-democratic. He saw Carlyle's approach to social issues as overly romantic and lacking a solid grounding in reason.
To summarize:
* Carlyle and Mill were both influential figures who contributed to the intellectual debates of their time. Their ideas, however, were often at odds.
* Using their names for credibility requires careful consideration of their views and how they relate to your own arguments.
Please clarify your question if you have something else in mind.