Moral Philosophers

Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy:

Aspect	Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy
Basis	Rejection of traditional morality
Self-interest	Emphasizes individual will to power
Ethics	Emphasis on self-realization and self-creation
Virtue	Emphasis on strength, courage, and creativity
Freedom	Emphasis on individual freedom and autonomy
Society	Rejection of societal norms and values
Purpose	Emphasis on personal fulfillment and expression
God	Rejection of traditional religious beliefs

Kant’s Moral Philosophy:

Aspect	Kant’s Moral Philosophy
Basis	Categorical imperative based on reason
Self-interest	Duty to follow moral rules and principles
Ethics	Emphasis on moral duty and obligation
Virtue	Emphasis on rationality and moral integrity
Freedom	Emphasis on moral autonomy and rationality
Society	Emphasis on respect for others and society
Purpose	Emphasis on universal moral principles
God	Belief in God as the source of moral principles

Michael Sandel’s Moral Philosophy:

Aspect	Michael Sandel’s Moral Philosophy
Basis	Emphasis on the common good and social justice
Self-interest	Recognition of the role of personal values and commitments
Ethics	Emphasis on ethical deliberation and public discourse
Virtue	Emphasis on the virtues of citizenship and civic engagement
Freedom	Emphasis on balancing individual freedom with the common good
Society	Emphasis on the importance of community and shared values
Purpose	Emphasis on the role of moral reasoning in public life
God	Recognition of the role of religious and philosophical traditions

John Rawls’ Moral Philosophy:

Aspect	John Rawls’ Moral Philosophy
Basis	Emphasis on justice as fairness
Self-interest	Recognition of the role of self-interest in decision making
Ethics	Emphasis on principles of justice and the common good
Virtue	Emphasis on the virtues of civic friendship and public reason
Freedom	Emphasis on ensuring a basic level of freedom and opportunity for all
Society	Emphasis on the importance of social institutions in promoting justice
Purpose	Emphasis on the role of political philosophy in promoting justice and equality
God	Recognition of the diversity of religious and philosophical traditions

Jeremy Bentham’s Moral Philosophy:

Aspect	Jeremy Bentham’s Moral Philosophy
Basis	Emphasis on the greatest happiness principle
Self-interest	Individuals are motivated by pleasure and the avoidance of pain
Ethics	Emphasis on promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number
Virtue	Emphasis on individual and collective happiness
Freedom	Emphasis on individual liberty and the absence of external constraints
Society	Emphasis on social reforms that maximize happiness
Purpose	Emphasis on practical social reforms
God	Belief in utilitarianism as a secular moral principle

John Stuart Mill’s Moral Philosophy:

Aspect	John Stuart Mill’s Moral Philosophy
Basis	Emphasis on the greatest happiness principle
Self-interest	Individuals are motivated by pleasure and the avoidance of pain
Ethics	Emphasis on promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number
Virtue	Emphasis on individual and collective happiness
Freedom	Emphasis on individual liberty and the absence of external constraints
Society	Emphasis on social reforms that maximize happiness
Purpose	Emphasis on practical social reforms
God	Belief in utilitarianism as a secular moral principle