Ethical Theories: Consequentialism, Ethical Egoism, Utilitarianism

Socrates

• Famous quote: "All I know is that I know nothing"
• Believed that genuine wisdom involves recognizing the limitations of one's knowledge and remaining open to learning and self-improvement

Plato

• Ancient Greek philosopher born around 427-428 B.C. in Athens, Greece
• Produced at least 25 philosophical writings
• One of the founders of Western philosophy
• Founded the Academy in Athens in 387 B.C.
• Believed that the physical world is merely a shadow or imperfect reflection of a higher, non-physical realm of Forms or Ideas
• Wrote "The Allegory of the Cave", symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and the transition from ignorance to wisdom

The Allegory of the Cave

• Prisoners are chained inside a dark cave, facing a wall, seeing only shadows cast by objects behind them
• Shadows represent the illusory world of sensory perception
• Highlights the importance of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to question conventional beliefs in the pursuit of wisdom

Aristotle

• Born in 384 BCE in Stagira, Macedonia
• Father was the physician of Amynthas III, king of Macedonia and grandfather of Alexander the Great
• Spent 20 years at the Academy, becoming one of Plato's most promising students
• Developed philosophical differences with Plato and departed from the Academy after Plato's death
• Believed in Realism, emphasizing the objective existence of truth and the importance of understanding and engaging with the external world
• Focused on the cultivation of virtues and the pursuit of eudaimonia (flourishing or well-being)
• Virtues are not innate but acquired through habituation and practice

Immanuel Kant

• German philosopher, mathematician, and physicist born in 1724 in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia)
• Considered the father of modern ethics and one of the central Enlightenment thinkers
• Known in the era of the Age of Enlightenment, marked by intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge

Ethical Theories

• Consequentialism: evaluates morality based solely on outcomes or consequences, ignoring motives
• Ethical Egoism: asserts that individuals ought to act in their own self-interest and prioritize their own well-being above all else
• Utilitarianism: emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people, judging actions based on their ability to produce the most overall happiness or pleasure and minimize suffering

St. Augustine

• "Eudaemonic" derives from the Greek word "eudaimonia", referring to human flourishing, happiness, or well-being
• Believed in God-Centered Happiness, Virtue, and Moral Life, emphasizing Interiority and Peace of mind
• Distinguished between Temporal and Eternal Happiness