Philosophers and their respective ethical philosophies

  • Socrates
    469 BCE

    Socrates

  • Period: 469 BCE to 399 BCE

    Socrates

    Socrates was an Athenian Philosopher whose questions
    and opinions clashed with the current course of Athenian
    politics and society. One of the greatest paradoxes that helped his students explore was whether weakness of will – doing wrong when you genuinely knew what was right – truly existed. Hence, the development of personal ethics is mastering what he called “the art of measurement,” correcting the distortions that skew one’s analyses of benefit and cost
  • Plato
    428 BCE

    Plato

  • Period: 428 BCE to 348 BCE

    Plato

    Plato ranks among the greatest philosophers of the world and is viewed by many scholars as the most important Philosopher of Western civilization. Ethics is referred to as a concern to act rightly and live a good life. Plato’s main concern is to challenge the views most people have about goodness. Most people think that virtue is a minor good or even an impediment to living a happy life. Plato considers this to be incorrect; it is only by being virtuous that we can hope to be happy.
  • Aristotle
    384 BCE

    Aristotle

  • Period: 384 BCE to 322 BCE

    Aristotle

    In Arabic Philosophy, he was known simply as “The First
    Teacher” in the West, he was “The Philosopher.” The ethics of Aristotle is concerned with action, not as being right in itself irrespective of any other consideration but with actions conducive to man’s good. Aristotle argued that virtues are good habits that we acquire, which regulate our emotions. Aristotle’s “The Golden Mean Principle” states that to be happy, live a life of moderation. In everything that we do, we must avoid extremes
  • Moral Positivism

    Moral Positivism

    Thomas Hobbes believes that human beings are
    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, therefore, they should not be trusted to make decisions on their own. Hobbes’ moral positivism anticipates the chaotic outcome if laws are not abided by. We all believe that the purpose of the government is to protect the rights of its people, preserve justice and enforce the laws.
  • Utilitarianism

    Utilitarianism

    The word utilitarian is derived from the Latin words
    utile Bonum or utilize which means usefulness. The theory argues
    that what makes an act right is its consequences and not the
    motive of the action. The effects or consequences determine
    the goodness or badness of an action. 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.