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551 BCE
Confucius :: Confucianism
The Golden Rule, "Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself." Confucius, Chinese philosopher, associated with Confucianism, promotes moral virtues, social harmony. Emphasizes compassion, respect, filial piety, moral values: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, loyalty. Highlights ethical leadership, role of ethics in society. Golden Rule promotes harmonious, upright society through moral cultivation, social responsibility. -
469 BCE
Socrates :: Socratic Ethics
Socratic Ethics, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." Socrates prioritized truth, self-awareness, and moral integrity. He believed wisdom and character were the goal. His quote, "an unexamined life is not worth living," underscores self-reflection and critical thinking. Through questioning, he challenged beliefs, emphasized virtue for a just life. His philosophy impacts Western ethics, stressing self-examination, critical thinking, and moral integrity. -
384 BCE
Aristotle :: Virtue Ethics
Eudaemonia, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle's virtue ethics emphasizes cultivating moral virtues and character traits for human flourishing, through moderation and balance, personal character development, moral education, self-reflection, and personal growth. It has had a significant impact on Western ethical thought, highlighting the importance of living a virtuous life for well-being and flourishing. -
341 BCE
Epicurus :: Epicureanism
Epicureanism, "We must be careful not to believe in or accept anything without examining it." Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus, advocates for pleasure as the highest good, achieved through moderation, meaningful friendships, and knowledge. Tranquility and freedom from fear are essential for a pleasurable life. It emphasizes balance, mindfulness, and a simple lifestyle that prioritizes mental well-being and intellectual curiosity over materialistic pursuits or excessive indulgence. -
4 BCE
Epictetus, Seneca & Aurelius :: Stoicism
Stoic Philosophy, "The greatest wealth is to live content with little." Stoic philosophy, founded by Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, advocates for living in harmony with nature and accepting uncontrollable aspects of life. It teaches self-control, resilience, and cultivating inner virtues for a virtuous life. Stoicism emphasizes developing a resilient mindset, cultivating virtues like wisdom, courage, and justice, and seeking tranquility and contentment. -
Bentham & Mill :: Utilitarianism
"The greatest good for the greatest number." - Jeremy Bentham Utilitarianism, developed by Bentham and Mill, maximizes overall happiness/utility through actions. It prioritizes the principle of greatest good for the greatest number, justifying means by ends. Emphasizing consequences over moral rules, it aims for the well-being of the majority while considering the collective welfare of society. -
Immanuel Kant :: Kantian ethics
Kantian Ethics, "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law." Kantian ethics emphasizes moral duty and the categorical imperative, prioritizing universal applicability and moral principles over consequences. This deontological approach values the inherent moral value of actions and underscores the significance of guiding principles for ethical behavior, irrespective of outcomes. -
Friedrich Nietzsche :: Nietzschean Ethics
Nihilism, "God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him." Nietzsche's ethics, known as nihilism, reject traditional moral systems and emphasize individual freedom wherein they should create their own meaning and values in a world without inherent moral truths, self-creation, and the rejection of societal norms. This philosophy promotes self-determination, autonomy, and the pursuit of personal values in a world without inherent moral truths. -
Jean-Paul Sartre :: Sartrean Ethics
Existentialism, "Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." Existentialism, led by philosophers like Sartre, prioritizes individual freedom, responsibility, and personal choice. It asserts that individuals are solely responsible for creating their own values and meaning in a world without inherent meaning. This philosophy highlights individual agency, rejects predetermined values, and emphasizes the freedom of choice. -
John Rawls :: Rawlsian Ethics
Justice as Fairness, "Justice is the first virtue of social institutions." Rawlsian ethics, or justice as fairness, prioritizes social justice and equitable resource distribution. It advocates for the well-being of the least advantaged members of society and emphasizes equality and fairness in societal arrangements for the betterment of all.