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428 BCE
Plato
Ethics is the study of how to act morally and live a good life. Plato's main concern is to challenge common beliefs about what is good, as he believes that many people go wrong in trying to be happy. According to Plato, virtue is not a minor good, but rather a necessary condition for happiness. -
Period: 428 BCE to 348 BCE
Who is Plato?
Plato is considered to be one of the greatest philosophers in the world and a key figure in Western civilization. He believed that moral values are objective and exist in a spiritual realm beyond human conventions. He also believed that these values are absolute and unchanging, and that they apply to all rational creatures around the world and throughout history. -
399 BCE
Socrates
Socrates was an Athenian philosopher whose ideas and teachings conflicted with the politics and society of his time. He critically examined the common beliefs of his society and encouraged others to do the same. He was accused of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods of Athens, and as a result, he was sentenced to death by poison. -
Period: 399 BCE to 399 BCE
The Art of Measurement
Socrates explored the idea of weakness of will, or doing wrong despite knowing what is right, with his students as a paradox. He believed that people only do wrong when they perceive the benefits to outweigh the costs in that moment. Therefore, he believed that developing personal ethics involves mastering "the art of measurement," which means correcting the distortions that affect one's analysis of benefits and costs. -
322 BCE
The Golden Mean Principle
Aristotle believed that virtues are good habits that regulate our emotions. He also believed that most virtues fall at a mean between extreme character traits, such as cowardice or rashness. To be happy, one should live a life of moderation and avoid extremes, according to Aristotle. This is the Golden Mean Principle he created. -
322 BCE
Aristotle
In Arabic philosophy, Socrates is known as "The First Teacher," while in the Western tradition he is referred to as "The Philosopher." Aristotle's ethics focus on actions that are conducive to human well-being, rather than actions that are inherently right regardless of context. Aristotle's goal is to understand what constitutes human well-being and the corresponding scientific study. -
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes believed that people are selfish and should not be trusted to make decisions for themselves. Hobbes saw the importance of laws and obedience to them as necessary for the order and peace in a country. He believed that nations are also selfishly motivated and constantly in competition for power and wealth. -
Jeremy Betham
Utilitarianism is a theory of ethics that is derived from the Latin words "utile bonum" or "utilis," which means usefulness. It argues that what makes an act right is its consequences, rather than the motives behind the action. An act is considered good if it gives good results, is successful, and helps achieve one's purpose.