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Socrates was an Athenian philosopher whose opinions clashed with the current course of Athenian politics and society. Socrates worked to critically examine the foundational beliefs that were common in Greece during this time. According to Socrates, "no one commits an evil act knowingly and doing wrong arises out of ignorance". -
Philosopher Plato is regarded by many as the most important Philosopher of Western civilization. He held that moral values are objective in the sense that they exist in a spirit-like realm beyond subjective human conventions. Most people think that virtue is a minor good, or even an impediment to living a happy life. -
Aristotle argued that virtues are good habits that we acquire, which regulate our emotions. Most virtues fall at a mean between extreme character traits. To be happy, live a life of moderation in everything that we do, we must avoid extremes. This principle can also be used in planning for profit in business. -
Hobbes' moral positivism anticipates the chaotic outcome if laws are not abided. The purpose of government is to protect rights of its people, preserve justice and enforce the laws.