Major Ethical Philosophies

Plato

423 BCE

Plato also had a good understanding of human nature. He ranks among the greatest philosophers of the world, and is viewed by many scholars as the most important Philosopher if western civilization. He later began to develop his own philosophy. The fundamental aspect of Plato's thought is the theory of ideas or forms

Socrates

384 BCE

Socrates, Ancient Greek, changed philosophy from a study of natural science to ethics and politics and didn't write anything. The Socratic Method is a question and answer technique of studying which was designed to make people examine their beliefs. Socrates is a famous for arguing that one must know himself, that the unexamined life is not worth living. Therefore it is a cruel irony that he was condemned to death for corrupting the youth he was teaching to search the truth.

Aristotle

384 BCE

Aristotle was the first philosopher to formalize the subject of Metaphysics. Aristotle believed that the world could be understood at a fundamental level through the detailed observation and cataloging of phenomenon . Therefore his ideas are very important. The ethics of Aristotle is concerned with action, not as being right in itself irrespective of any other consideration, but with actions conductive to man's good.

Thomas Hobbes

1651

The principle of Utilitarianism is used in Cost-Benefit Analysis, for example, more benefit, less cost, is a good action. It can also be used in the resolution of Labor-Management conflicts. Thomas Hobbes believes that human beings are basically selfish creatures who would do anything to improve their position. According to Hobbes, people would act on their evil impulses if left alone for themselves. Hobbes's moral positivism anticipates the chaotic outcome if laws are not abided

Utilitarianism

1800

The world utilitarian is derived from the Latin words utile bonum or utilis which means usefulness. The utilitarian ethics is best explained by the maxim, "Do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number." The theory argues that what makes an act right is its consequences determine the goodness or badness of an action. An act is good if and when it gives good results, if it works, if it makes you successful, and if it makes you attain your purpose. Otherwise, it is bad.