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Plato refers to ethics as a concern to act in good faith. His ethical thought is structured by a broad eudaemonist assumption as he establishes that happiness is the “highest aim of moral thought and conduct”. -
Aristotle's ethics is somewhat heavily influenced by Plato's – this is to no one's surprise considering that they both were colleagues at the Academy in Athens. Aristotle suggests that in order to be happy, one should demonstrate virtuous character towards others by practicing generosity, honesty, respect, and the likes. He further premises that people are more likely to make the right ethical choices if they hone these virtuous characteristics. -
Like Plato and Aristotle, Augustine's ethics recognizes happiness as the objective of a virtuous person. However, with the integration of Christianity, he notes that happiness is only achieved once a person's body has died and is united with the soul of God. True virtue is a gift given by God that guarantees true happiness. -
Aquinas' ethical principle revolves around the premise of "doing good and avoiding evil" and "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you”. He believes that all things created exist for a good cause, and if not, would be deprived of all goodness, including the good of existence. -
Hobbes argues that "the fundamental principles of morality, or laws of nature, require us to try to establish peace". And though his views on ethics are hardly indistinguishable from his personal politics, he separates the two by stating that ethics is concerned with human nature, while political philosophy deals with what happens when human beings interact. -
Kant believes that categorical imperatives drive our moral obligations. The rules are categorical because they apply to everyone, in every situation, regardless of their personal goals and inhibitions. They are necessary because a human being is prone to disregarding a moral code, as it is only human to seek pleasure and avoid pain.