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Socrates was an Athenian Philosopher whose questions
and opinions clashed with the current course of Athenian
politics and society. Socrates worked to critically examine
the foundational beliefs that were common in Greece during
his time, and encouraged other citizens to do so as well. 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. -
Plato ranks among the greatest philosophers of the world, and is viewed by many scholars as the most important Philosopher of Western civilization. Plato held that moral values are objective in the sense that they exist in a spirit-like realm beyond subjective human conventions. Plato’s main concern is to challenge the views most people have about goodness, for it is here that they go disastrously wrong in trying to live happy lives.
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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’s “The Golden Mean Principle” states that to be happy, live a life of moderation. The principle can be used to determine and plan for profit in business. Too much profit results to greed, no profit results to bankruptcy.
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Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, considered to be one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Hobbes’ moral positivism anticipates the chaotic outcome if laws are not abided.
We all believe that the purpose of the government is to protect the rights of its people, preserve justice and enforce the laws. Moral positivism can be an example to business as businesses have to follow the law and government regulations. -
Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism. The utilitarian ethics is best explained by the maxim, “Do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number.” 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.