Mill’s "Utilitarianism" is an essay that belongs to the genre of moral philosophy. Within this wider genre, Mill explores one approach to moral philosophy, utilitarianism, which posits that actions are morally right if they promote happiness or pleasure and wrong if they lead to unhappiness or pain. As a work of moral philosophy, "Utilitarianism" delves into the principles, applications, and implications of utilitarian ethics, responding to fundamental questions about the nature of morality and arguing in favor of an approach that pursues the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Mill’s essay, then, participates in a tradition of utilitarian philosophy previously articulated by figures such as Jeremy Bentham, a major influence on Mill, and economist James Mill, father of John Stuart Mill. Within the utilitarian tradition, Mill's essay stands out for its systematic description of utilitarian principles and its engagement with criticisms and objections raised by others in Mill’s day. His goal here is to clear up common misconceptions that Mill believes have clouded public understanding of utilitarian thought.
Additionally, "Utilitarianism" is an important work of political philosophy. Mill discusses the role of government and societal institutions in promoting human well-being and happiness, connecting the philosophical concept of moral utility to wider political debates regarding the nature of justice, rights, and the state. Mill, then, applies his utilitarian principles to debates about the proper organization of society. For Mill, the proper role of the government is to ensure the ideal conditions for individuals to achieve their own happiness, in whatever form that happiness might take, as long as it does not encroach upon the rights of others. Further, his model of utilitarianism emphasizes equality between individuals, as each person’s individual capacity for happiness is counted equally when determining the common good.
