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Socrates links knowledge with virtue. He believed that if knowledge can be learned then virtue can be learned as well. The understanding of knowledge and virtue will then lead to ethical conduct. He believed that no one acts to harm themselves on purpose. One always seeks what is advantageous to oneself, and will act accordingly to achieve it. But if one does not act morally right, then he lacked the knowledge to do so, and therefore was ignorant. (https://philosophy.lander.edu)
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Plato, similar to other philosophers of his time, centered on virtue in their ethical values. Plato always takes virtue to require an overall grasp of what is good to take as a guide for one's life as a whole, and takes this to be an objective matter which requires intellectual effort. (oxfordhandbooks.com) Plato held that moral values exist in a spirit-like realm beyond subjective human conventions. He held that they are absolute, or eternal, in that they never change (Racelis, 2017).
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His values were similar to Plato's, but he argued that virtue and goodness can't be acquired through general rules. Rather, we need to understand how the different factors to live a good life fit as a whole. In order to apply that, we must learn, by proper upbringing and habits, the ability to see what choice is best, supported by reasons. We must also acquire, through practice, those skills that enable us to put our understanding of well-being into practice. (https://plato.stanford.edu)
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Hobbes believes that human judgment is unreliable and needs to be guided by the “knowledge of consequences” or science (https://iep.utm.edu/hobmoral/). 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 (Roa, 2007).
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He was one of the precursors to the development of modern utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is best explained by the saying “Do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number.”. This states that an action is morally right if the consequences bring goodness or good results to those who are affected. Otherwise, it is bad.