On Liberty - John Stuart Mill - On Liberty is a philosophical work outlining Mill's ethical system of utilitarianism to society and the state. Mill attempts to establish standards for the relationship between authority and liberty. He emphasizes the importance of individuality which he conceived as a prerequisite to the higher pleasures. On Liberty is a philosophical work written by John Stuart Mill. Building upon Mill's ethical system developed in his work Utilitarianism, Mill applies the lens of Utilitarianism to society and the state. Mill proposes standards of three basic liberties that individuals should enjoy, those being, the freedom of thought and emotion, the freedom to pursue tastes, the freedom to unite. Mill's political essay enjoyed great influence, especially amongst the English speaking world.