Major ethical philosophies

By Thea23
  • Period: 17 BCE to 19 BCE

    Modern Ethics

    Immanuel Kant: Founded deontological ethics, emphasizing duty and universal moral principles.
    Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill: Pioneered utilitarianism, focusing on maximizing happiness or pleasure.
  • Period: 5 BCE to 4 BCE

    Ancient Greek Ethics

    Socrates: Emphasized moral introspection and the pursuit of knowledge.
    Plato: Advocated for a theory of Forms and the idea of the "good."
  • Period: 5 BCE to 15 BCE

    Medieval Ethics

    Augustine: Merged Platonic philosophy with Christian theology, emphasizing divine command theory.
    Thomas Aquinas: Synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, developing natural law theory.
  • Period: 20 to 20

    Contemporary Ethics (20th century - present):

    Existentialism: Emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and responsibility (e.g., Jean-Paul Sartre).
    Feminist Ethics: Critiques traditional ethical theories for their gender bias and explores issues of justice, care, and relationality.