Major Ethical Philosophies

By lilivn
  • 551 BCE

    Confucius (551-479 B.C.)

    Confucius (551-479 B.C.)
    • Referred to as Kong Qui or K’ung Fu-tzu
    • Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political figure
    • Considered the father of the Eastern style of thought focusing on creating ethical social relationships, setting educational standards, and promoting justice and honesty.
    His social philosophy was based on the principle of ren—loving others—and he believed this could be achieved using the Golden Rule.
    "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others."
  • 469 BCE

    Socrates (469-399 B.C.)

    Socrates (469-399 B.C.)
    • Greek philosopher and is considered the primary source of Western thought.
    • Believes that through the act of questioning, the mind can manage to find truth.
    Socrates equated knowledge with virtue, which ultimately leads to ethical conduct. He believed that the only life worth living was one that was rigorously examined.
    "The unexamined life is not worth living."
  • 428 BCE

    Plato (428-348 B.C.)

    Plato (428-348 B.C.)
    • Greek philosopher Plato was a student of Socrates and later became a teacher of Aristotle.
    • A priori, a rational philosopher who sought knowledge logically rather than from the senses.
    • Went on to establish the Academy in Athens.
    It is only by being virtous that we can hope to be happy.
    "Good actions gives strength and inspire good actions in others."
  • 384 BCE

    Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

    Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
    • One of the greatest thinkers in politics, psychology, and ethics
    • Aristotle learned from Plato after enrolling in his Academy at age seventeen.
    Aristotle's theory: the link between the concepts of happiness and virtue. Aristotle tells us that the most important factor in the effort to achieve happiness is to have a good moral character — what he calls “complete virtue.”
    "Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence."

  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

    Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
    • Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer
    • One of the most influential thinkers during the Enlightenment in eighteenth century Europe.
    Argues that morality and virtue can actually be corrupted by progress. Civilization that he thought had corrupted man and produced moral degeneracy.
    "Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains."

  • Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

    Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
    • Central figure in modern philosophy
    • His contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics have had a profound impact.
    Kant's ethics are organized around the notion of
    a "categorical imperative", which is a universal ethical principle stating that one should always respect the humanity in others, and should only act in accordance with rules that could hold for everyone.
    "So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world."

  • Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

    Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
    • English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer
    • Father of utilitarianism
    His principle argues that actions should be judged right or wrong to the extent they increase or decrease human well-being or 'utility'. Actions that lead to people's happiness are right and that those that lead to suffering are wrong.
    "It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong."

  • John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

    John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
    • English philosopher, political economist, Member of Parliament and civil servant.
    His goal is to justify the utilitarian principle as the foundation of morals in his classical text Utilitarianism (1861). So, Mill focuses on consequences of actions and not on rights nor ethical sentiments.
    "Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain."