Timeline of Major Ethical Philosophies

Confucius

551 BCE

“He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.” Confucius (551 - 479 BCE) was a Chinese philosopher who held the belief that both individuals and their communities can improve through continuous learning and adherence to a moral code.

Socrates

469 BCE

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Socrates (469 - 399 BCE) was a Greek philosopher who believed in the pursuit of truth through rational inquiry and the examination of one's own beliefs.

Plato

428 BCE

“No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” Plato (428 - 347 BCE) was a Greek philosopher who believed in the existence of objective truth and a world of ideal Forms or Ideas.

Aristotle

384 BCE

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Aristotle (384 BCE - 322 BCE) was a Greek philosopher who believed in the concept of the Golden Mean and the pursuit of eudaimonia or human flourishing as the ultimate goal of human life.

Epicurus

341 BCE

“Happiness is man's greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness.” Epicurus (341 - 270 BCE) was a prominent figure in philosophy and science who proposed the idea that pleasure is the only intrinsic value, also known as hedonism.

Thomas Aquinas

1225

“The things that we love tell us what we are.” Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a significant figure during his time and was frequently involved in contentious theological discussions, but his ethical philosophy stressed the significance of rationality, natural order, and moral principles that are grounded in divine teachings.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

1712

“People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a Swiss philosopher and writer whose beliefs on ethics emphasized the importance of individual freedom, social equality, and the natural goodness of humanity.

Immanuel Kant

1724

“Thoughts without content are empty, institutions without concept are blind.” Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) was a German philosopher who argues that human understanding is responsible for the natural laws that structure our existence, and our reason is responsible for our moral beliefs.

John Stuart Mill

1806

“To make anyone answerable for doing evil to others, is the rule; to make him answerable for not preventing evil, is, comparatively speaking, the exception.”. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was a British philosopher who was a strong advocate for individual freedom and believed in the principle of utilitarianism, which states that actions should be judged based on their ability to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Friedrich Nietzsche

1844

“The sick are the greatest danger for the healthy; it is not from the strongest that harm comes to the strong, but from the weakest.” Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was a German philosopher who is famous for his relentless critiques of established European morals, religion, philosophy, and modern societal norms.