Mill’s “Utilitarianism” constitutes a classic within the field of moral and political thought and is considered "the most influential philosophical articulation of a liberal humanistic morality that was produced in the nineteenth century." (Encycl. Of Philosophy). Originally published as a series of three separate articles in 1861, it was collected and printed as a single work under the canonical title in 1863. This publication is now considered the classic exposition and defense of Utilitarianism in ethics, a revolution within moral philosophy.

The work was translated into Danish by the immensely influential literary critic Georg Brandes, by many considered the greatest intellectual of his time. Brandes played a key role in introducing especially German and British thought to Scandinavia, most notably the works by such thinkers as Darwin and Nietzsche. He is also the first to translate Mill’s works and make them accessible to a Scandinavian readership. His translation of “Utilitarianism” appeared in 1872 and was responsible for spreading the utilitarian philosophy to a wider audience in the North. The idea of Utilitarianism became immensely influential in Scandinavia. It inspired, for instance, Haralds Høffdig (1843-1931) to formulate the welfare principle, contributing to the formation of the welfare state that the Scandinavian countries are so famous for.