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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. He was accused of corrupting the youth and disbelieving in the gods of the city and was sentenced to death by poison.
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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 the moral values are objective in the sense that they exist in a spirit like realm beyond subjective human conventions. He held that they are absolute, or eternal, in that they never change, and also that they are universal insofar as they apply to all rational creatures around the world and throughout time (Racelis, 2017).
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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 being as right in itself irrespective of any consideration, but with actions conductive to man's good. Aristotle sets himself to discover what this good is and what the science corresponding to it is (Copleston, 1993).
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Thomas Hobbes 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. In addition, Hobbes felt like people, nations are selfishly motivated. For him, each country is in a constant battle for power and health.
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Utilitarianism as a distinct ethical position only emerged in the 18th century, and although it is usually thought to have begun with Jeremy Bentham, there were earlier writers who presented theories that were strikingly similar. The word utilitarian is derived from the Latin word utile bonum or utilis which means usefulnesss. The utilitarian ethics is best explained by the maxim, "Do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number." What makes an act right is its consequence.
