Modernphilosophers

Timeline of Major Ethical Philosophies

  • Period: 1225 to 1274

    Saint Thomas Aquinas

    Theology (Thomism) - Catholic philosophy holds that the existence of God is verified through reason and rational explanation, as opposed to through scripture or religious experience. This is among the central premises underpinning modern Catholic philosophy and liturgy. It is also one of the foundations of modern Catholic theology.
  • Period: 1469 to 1527

    Niccolo Machiavelli

    Machiavelli was a significant participant in and writer on political issues, to the point where some have dubbed him the "Father of Modern Political Science." He was an empiricist who based his opinions on experience and historical truth, allowing him to separate politics not only from theology but also from morality. His most famous works discussed the parameters of effective rulership.
  • Period: to

    John Locke

    John Locke is sometimes referred to as the "Father of Liberalism" because of his contributions to the formulation of the social contract idea. Indeed, many Enlightenment philosophers and, as a result, true revolutionaries would find his discourses on identity, the self, and the influence of sensory experience to be crucial revelations. His thought is considered to have influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence, which kicked off America's battle for independence from the British.
  • Period: to

    David Hume

    He favored physical reality over abstract thought in his thoughts. Within this framework, he prioritized personal choice and dedication. His theology was also heavily influenced by this perspective. His work addressed the issues of religion, Christian love, and human emotion, with a stress on the value of the individual's subjective relationship with God.This, Hume argued, predisposed human beings to knowledge founded not on the existence of certain absolutes but on personal experience.
  • Period: to

    Jean-Jacques Rousseau

    His theories on human morality, inequality, and, most significantly, the right to rule would have a huge and discernible impact not only on European thinking, but also on the power dynamics within Western Civilization. Rousseau advocated the revolutionary notion that only the people had the right to rule. These ideals fueled the French Revolution and, more broadly, helped put an end to a centuries-long feud between the Church, the Crown, and the country.
  • Period: to

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

    The transcendentalist movement rejected the pressures imposed by society, materialism, and organized religion in favor of the ideals of individualism, freedom, and a personal emphasis on the soul's relationship with the surrounding natural world.
  • Period: to

    John Stuart Mill

    He provided a significant amount of work to the liberalism school of thought, which is based on the expansion of individual liberty and economic freedoms. Mill was also a supporter of utilitarianism, which maintains that the optimal course of action is one that maximizes utility, or, to put it another way, one that benefits everyone. This, and other ideas in Mill's books, have served as the rhetorical foundation for social justice, anti-poverty, and human rights campaigns.
  • Period: to

    Søren Kierkegaard

    He favored physical reality over abstract thought in his thoughts. Within this framework, he prioritized personal choice and dedication. His theology was also heavily influenced by this perspective. His work addressed the issues of religion, Christian love, and human emotion, with a stress on the value of the individual's subjective relationship with God.
  • Period: to

    Ludwig Wittgenstein

    Wittgenstein was a towering figure in the areas of logic, semantics, and the philosophy of mind. His investigations of linguistics and psychology would prove particularly revelatory to future generations. Wittgenstein's many volumes confirmed this view for future generations after his death.
  • Period: to

    Jean-Paul Sartre

    Sartre was a leading exponent of the 20th century existentialist movement as well as a vocal proponent of Marxism and socialism. He advocated for resistance to oppressive social constructs and argued for the importance of achieving an authentic way of being. His writing coincided with, and contrasted, the sweep of fascism through Europe, the rise of authoritarian regimes, and the spread of Nazism

Looking for a timeline maker?

Create timelines for projects, roadmaps, history, lessons, legal cases, and stories with Timetoast. Timetoast is a timeline maker for work, school, research, and stories.