Ethical Theories

In this chapter, I offer a concise overview of four predominant ethical theories that have significantly influenced the field of ethics: (1) virtue ethics, principally associated with Aristotle; (2) deontology, as formulated by Kant; (3) utilitarianism, developed by Mill; and (4) social contract theories, with Hobbes as a primary figure. My focus will be on the conventional interpretations of these theories. While there are nuanced versions and diverse interpretations, this book’s intent is not to explore those complexities but to lay a foundational understanding that facilitates a deeper discussion on moral issues.