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

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	Aristotle’s Moral Philosophy	Hume’s Moral Philosophy	Mill’s Moral Philosophy	Kant’s Moral Philosophy	Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy	Rawls’ Moral Philosophy	Sandel’s Moral Philosophy
Basis	Virtue ethics	Sentimentalism	Utilitarianism	Categorical imperative based on reason	Rejection of traditional morality	Social contract theory based on justice	Communitarianism
Self-interest	Emphasis on individual	Emphasis on self-interest and passions	Emphasis on happiness and individual liberty	Duty to follow moral rules and principles	Emphasizes individual will to power	Emphasis on individual rights and freedoms	Emphasis on civic virtues and common good
Ethics	Emphasis on character	Emphasis on human nature and emotions	Emphasis on the greatest good for the greatest	Emphasis on moral duty and obligation	Emphasis on self-realization and self-creation	Emphasis on justice and fairness	Emphasis on the role of moral reasoning in society
Virtue	Emphasis on practical wisdom	Emphasis on character and virtues	Emphasis on individuality and excellence	Emphasis on rationality and moral integrity	Emphasis on strength, courage, and creativity	Emphasis on cooperation and reciprocity	Emphasis on civic virtue and community norms
Freedom	Emphasis on self-mastery	Emphasis on liberty and free will	Emphasis on individual liberty and autonomy	Emphasis on moral autonomy and rationality	Emphasis on individual freedom and autonomy	Emphasis on equal political and social rights	Emphasis on the role of institutions in shaping freedom
Society	Emphasis on community	Emphasis on social customs and conventions	Emphasis on social justice and equality	Emphasis on respect for others and society	Rejection of societal norms and values	Emphasis on the basic structure of society	Emphasis on the role of institutions in shaping society
Purpose	Emphasis on eudaimonia	Emphasis on human flourishing and happiness	Emphasis on promoting the greater good	Emphasis on universal moral principles	Emphasis on personal fulfillment and expression	Emphasis on the well-being of the least advantaged	Emphasis on civic engagement and participation
God	Belief in a divine being	Skepticism towards religious belief and morality	Non-religious and non-metaphysical foundation	Belief in God as the source of moral principles	Rejection of traditional religious beliefs	No explicit focus on religious beliefs	No explicit focus on religious beliefs