# Stephen Davies' Intellectual Development **URL:** **By** Stephen Davies **Published:** October 10, 2011 --- Dr. Stephen Davies discusses his intellectual development, which really began with [John Stuart Mill's](https://www.libertarianism.org/people/john-stuart-mill) essay On Liberty. Mill's essay encouraged Dr. Stephen Davies to think in ways he had never thought before. After reading this essay, he began reading the works of [Milton Friedman](https://www.libertarianism.org/people/milton-friedman), [Friedrich Hayek](https://www.libertarianism.org/people/f-a-hayek), and many others. Through these readings, as well as his interactions with other people, his ideas evolved and continue to evolve today. For more, visit [LearnLiberty.org](http://www.learnliberty.org/).