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469 BCE
SOCRATES
He was an Athenian Philosopher who was sentenced to death by poison. The development of personal ethics is to master what he called “the art of measurement,” correcting the distortions that skew one’s analyses of benefit and cost. According to him, “no one commits an evil act knowingly and doing wrong arises out of ignorance.” A person will commit only moral evil if he lacks moral knowledge. Sometimes, we may have knowledge but we deliberately commit an evil act to satisfy our hidden motive. -
Period: 469 BCE to 399 BCE
SOCRATES
"He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have." -Socrates -
428 BCE
PLATO
He is considered as one of the greatest philosophers of the world, and viewed as one of the most important Philosopher of Western civilization. Plato’s main concern is to challenge the views most people have about goodness, for it is observed that they are absolutely wrong in trying to make their lives happy. Plato believes that it is only by being virtuous that we, people can hope to be happy. When you do good, it will eventually inspire others to do good also. And that is the true happiness. -
Period: 428 BCE to 348 BCE
PLATO
"Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others." -Plato -
384 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. He sets himself to discover what this good is and what the science corresponding to it is. 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. -
Period: 384 BCE to 322 BCE
ARISTOTLE
"At his best, man is the noblest of all animals spearated from Law and justice, he is the worst." -Aristotle -
THOMAS HOBBES (MORAL POSITIVISM)
He 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; therefore, they should not be trusted to make decisions on their own. Hobbes’ moral positivism anticipates the chaotic outcome if laws are not abided. Hence, the creation of laws and the obedience of its subjects are important in the order and maintenance of peace in countries. -
Period: to
THOMAS HOBBES (MORAL POSITIVISM)
"Businesses must follow laws and government regulations." -Hobbes' Moral Positivism in Business Applications -
JEREMY BENTHAM
He is known as a philosopher, economist, theoretical jurist, and the chief expounder of utilitarianism. Bentham explained his "greatest happiness principle", in Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation that was published in 1789 in which he wrote, mandkind is governed by two sovereign motives, pain and pleasure. It is then up to us to pinpoint what we ought to do and what we shall do. -
Period: to
JEREMY BENTHAM
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UTILITARIANISM (JEREMY BENTHAM and JOHN STUART MILL)
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 and not the
motive of the action. The effects or 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. -
Period: to
UTILITARIANISM (JEREMY BENTHAM and JOHN STUART MILL)
"Do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number." -Utilitarianism -
JOHN STUART MILL
He is an english philosopher, economist, and an exponent of utilitarianism. Mill's works were reflected and absorbed from Bentham's works. Mill defines utilitarianism as the creed that considers a particular “theory of life” as the "foundation of morals". This principle that says actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness for him is wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. His view is that there is one thing that is intrinsically desirable, namely pleasure. -
Period: to
JOHN STUART MILL
