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One of the finest minds in ancient philosophy, Socrates believed in an ethical system based on human logic and reason. Socrates' philosophical approach always has an ethical goal in mind. Socrates thought that if one understands what is good, one would always do it. As a result, if one fully comprehends the meaning of heroism, self-control, or justice, one will act courageously, self-controllingly, and justly.
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Plato was a student of Socrates and adopted many of his master’s teachings. Plato's eudaemonistic ethics is based on virtue. To put it another way, happiness (eudaimonia) is the highest goal of moral thought and behavior, and virtues (aretê: 'excellence') are the necessary skills and dispositions to achieve it.
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Aristotle was a student of Plato’s Academy. When Plato died, Aristotle became the tutor of Alexander the Great. Aristotle's ethics is concerned with actions that are conducive to man's good, not with actions that are right in and of themselves, regardless of other considerations. Aristotle emphasized the importance of habit in human behavior. It is widely assumed that virtues are habits, and that the good life is a mindless routine, as Aristotle claimed.
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UTILITARIANISM
Late 18th and19th century. Utilitarianism differs from ethical theories that make the rightness or wrongness of an action dependent upon the motive of the agent—for, according to the utilitarian, it is possible for the right thing to be done from a bad motive. ight if it tends to promote happiness or pleasure and wrong if it tends to produce unhappiness or pain—not just for the performer of the action but also for everyone else affected by it. -
His philosophy of moral positivism believes that human beings can be greedy and can do selfish acts for their own sake. If there are no laws or government regulations to be followed, each country will be in a complete disorder and disorganized. People will only think of themselves and do evil acts upon other people for their own happiness. There must be a government for every nation in order tp protect the rights of every people which also helps to maintain peace and order.