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Athenian Philosopher- questions and opinions clashed with the current course of Athenian politics and society
- believed that people only did wrong when, at the moment, the perceived benefits seemed to outweigh the costs
- a person will only commit moral evil if the person lacks moral knowledge
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Greek Philosopher- most important philosopher of the western civilization
- moral values are are absolute or eternal
- moral values never change and are universal
- challenged the views most people of the time had about goodness
- "it is only by being virtuous that can we hope to be happy"
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Greek Philosopher taught by Plato- "The First Teacher"
- "The Philosopher"
- ethics is concerned with actions conducive to man's good
- virtues are good habits that we acquire which regulate our emotions
- "The Gold Mean Principle"
- to be happy, live a life of moderation
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Thomas Hobbes- anticipates the chaotic if laws are not abided
- believes that human beings are selfish creatures who would do anything to improve their position
- people would act on evil impulses if left alone
- it is a must for every nation to have someone who would manage and administer them
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John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham
English philosophers and economists- "utile bonum" or "utilis" meaning usefulness
- "do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number"
- what makes an act right is its consequences, not the motive of the action