History of Various Ethical Philosophies from Major Ethical Philosophers

People Do Wrong because they Lack Knowledge of What is Right

469 BCE

Socrates believed that humans have an innate desire to do what is good and just. He recognized that people often act in contradicting ways towards this desire, which he attributed to a lack of knowledge about what is right. Ignorance is the root cause of wrongdoing. He believed that the solution to this was education and inquiry. By constantly seeking knowledge about what is right and just, people can better align their actions with their innate desire and avoid making mistakes due to ignorance.

Virtue is Knowledge

469 BCE

Socrates believed that the most important goal of human life is to live in a good and just way. He argued that people need to have an understanding of what is good and just to achieve this goal. According to him, virtue is a type of knowledge that empowers people to act in accordance with what is good and just. In other words, having knowledge of what is good and just leads to virtuous behavior.

People Should Always Act in Accordance with their Conscience

469 BCE

Socrates strongly believed that individuals should always act according to their conscience, regardless of whether it conflicts with the will of others. He was a firm believer in standing up for one's beliefs and principles, even if it meant facing opposition or persecution. Socrates believed in the importance of acting according to one's conscience, even in the face of opposition, and his refusal to compromise on his principles became a hallmark of his philosophical approach.

The Ultimate Goal of Human Existence is to Live a Good and Just Life

469 BCE

Socrates believed that the ultimate aim of human existence is to achieve a good and just life. He argued that this could only be accomplished through the pursuit of knowledge and the constant effort to improve one's understanding of what is good and just. He emphasized the importance of constantly striving to improve oneself, to become a better person, and to contribute to society by living a just and virtuous life.

Pursuing Knowledge and Truth is the Most Important Thing in Life

469 BCE

Socrates believed that pursuing knowledge and truth is the most important aspect of human life, which can lead to a more just and fulfilling life. He emphasized the importance of continuous questioning, seeking understanding, and developing intellectual and moral capacities. Socrates believed that education and self-improvement are crucial in achieving a fulfilling life, and the pursuit of knowledge and truth is the key to living a just and meaningful life

SOCRATES

Period: 469 BCE to 399 BCE

Socrates is a Classical Greek (Athenian) Philosopher. Died at the age of 70 because of the execution done to him after being found guilty of corrupting the youth and impiety by an Athenian court. He is one of the major ethical philosophers and focused on ethical and moral questions. Socrates' philosophy emphasized the importance of pursuing knowledge, living according to one's conscience, and striving to do what is good and just. "I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing."

"The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself." - Plato

428 BCE

This quote emphasizes the idea that in order to live a good life, one must first learn to master their own desires and emotions. Plato believed that the pursuit of a good life required self-discipline and self-control, as well as the development of virtues such as wisdom, courage, and justice. By mastering oneself, one could achieve a sense of inner harmony and live a fulfilling life.

Early Dialogues

428 BCE

In the early dialogues of Plato, such as "Apology," "Euthyphro," and "Crito," he delves into the ethics of Socrates, which highlights the crucial role of knowledge and virtue in shaping human conduct. These dialogues primarily deal with Socrates' philosophy of life and his principles of moral conduct. Plato's early dialogues explore how Socrates believed that the pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of virtues such as justice, courage, and wisdom can lead to a fulfilling life.

Republic

428 BCE

In the "Republic," Plato outlines his theory of justice and the ideal state, where justice consists of everyone fulfilling their proper role in society, and the rulers are philosopher-kings with knowledge of the good. This concept of justice relates to ethical behavior as it emphasizes the importance of individuals fulfilling their roles and duties in society in order to achieve a harmonious and just community.

Theaetetus

428 BCE

In the dialogue, Plato discusses the nature of knowledge and perception, and argues that true knowledge is based on understanding the Forms, while perception is simply based on appearances. This concept of knowledge relates to his ethical philosophy, as he believed that pursuing knowledge of the Forms and understanding what is good and just is essential for living a fulfilling and virtuous life.

PLATO

Period: 428 BCE to 348 BCE

Plato's ethical philosophy is focused on the pursuit of virtue and the attainment of the good life, which he believed could only be achieved through knowledge and understanding of the Forms or Ideas. He also believed in the importance of a just society, with a rigid hierarchical structure and rulers who were willing to deceive their citizens if necessary for the greater good.

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." - Aristotle

384 BCE

Aristotle believed that happiness is the ultimate goal of human existence and famously stated, According to Aristotle, achieving happiness involves living a virtuous life, which includes developing good habits, practicing self-control, and seeking intellectual and moral excellence. He believed that true happiness can only be achieved through a lifetime of virtuous actions and that external goods such as wealth and power are only means to the ultimate end of happiness.

"Nicomachean Ethics" and "Eudemian Ethics

350 BCE

Aristotle's significant ethical philosophical ideas are present in his books, "Nicomachean Ethics" and "Eudemian Ethics," which delve into the virtues and the nature of happiness. Aristotle argues that human life's ultimate aim is eudaimonia, which refers to happiness, flourishing, or well-being. Nonetheless, Aristotle claims that genuine happiness cannot be achieved through material possessions or pleasure but through practicing moral behavior and cultivating virtues.

ARISTOTLE

Period: 348 BCE to 322 BCE

He was a Greek philosopher. He believed that the pursuit of happiness was the ultimate goal of human existence and that it could be achieved through the cultivation of virtue and the development of good habits. Aristotle's ethical philosophies focus on the development of virtues and the achievement of eudaimonia, as well as the importance of balancing virtues and finding the mean between extremes of behavior.

Practical Reasoning and Judgement

340 BCE

Aristotle's ethical philosophy emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtues. He believes that virtues are qualities that enable us to act in ways that are morally good and that finding the "golden mean" between excess and deficiency is essential to virtuous behavior. Aristotle's ethical approach emphasizes practical reasoning and moral judgment, encouraging individuals to think critically about their actions and strive to act in ways that are morally good.

Politics

330 BCE

Aristotle's political philosophy focuses on the nature of the ideal state and the importance of ethics in politics. He believes that the state has a responsibility to promote the flourishing of its citizens, which can only be achieved through the cultivation of virtuous behavior and the pursuit of the common good. Aristotle also stresses the significance of just distribution of wealth and power, and the need for education and civic participation in achieving a well-functioning state.