Ethical Theory	Key Thinker	Description
Utilitarianism	Jeremy Bentham	The ethical theory that promotes actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the majority.
Utilitarianism	John Stuart Mill	Advocates for the greatest happiness principle, focusing on the quality of pleasures.
Deontology	Immanuel Kant	Ethics based on duty and the categorical imperative, emphasizing rules and principles.
Virtue Ethics	Aristotle	Focuses on the development of virtuous character rather than on rules or consequences.
Consequentialism	Peter Singer	A theory that judges actions by their outcomes, favoring those that produce the best overall results.
Egoism	Ayn Rand	An ethical theory that regards self-interest as the foundation of morality.
Care Ethics	Carol Gilligan	An ethical approach emphasizing interpersonal relationships and the importance of care.
Social Contract Theory	Thomas Hobbes	An ethical theory positing that moral and political obligations are based on a contract or agreement.
Social Contract Theory	Jean-Jacques Rousseau	Focuses on the idea of collective agreement forming the foundation of moral and political legitimacy.
Social Contract Theory	John Locke	Advocates for government legitimacy through consent of the governed and rights preservation.
Natural Law Theory	Thomas Aquinas	Believes that moral principles are derived from human nature and the natural order.
Relativism	David Wong	Poses that moral standards are not absolute but vary across cultures and contexts.
Absolutism	Robert M. Adams	The belief in absolute moral principles that transcend individual cultural differences.
Divine Command Theory	St. Augustine	The ethical view that morality is dependent on God's commands.
Intuitionism	G.E. Moore	Suggests that moral truths exist independently of human knowledge and can be intuitively known.
Pluralistic Ethics	William David Ross	Proposes multiple moral principles that may conflict but are all operative.
Pragmatic Ethics	John Dewey	Stresses the application of ethical principles based on practical consequences and real-world situations.
Existentialist Ethics	Jean-Paul Sartre	Emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and personal responsibility.
Feminist Ethics	Sara Ruddick	A perspective that critiques traditional ethics and emphasizes the moral significance of gendered experiences.
Ethics of Care	Nel Noddings	Focuses on the importance of caring relationships and the context of moral situations.
Relational Ethics	Violet L. Sears	Investigates morality through the lens of relationships and community rather than individualism.
Transcendental Ethics	Immanuel Kant	Posits that ethical truths can be derived through a priori reasoning.
Environmental Ethics	Arne Naess	Studies the moral relationship between humans and the environment.
Animal Ethics	Peter Singer	Explores the moral status of non-human animals and our responsibilities towards them.
Moral Realism	David Brink	The position that there are objective moral facts that are independent of human opinion.
Moral Anti-Realism	J.L. Mackie	The belief that there are no objective moral facts or truths.
Eudaimonism	Aristotle	The ethical framework focused on living well and achieving human flourishing.
Geoethics	G. D. G. von Hofmannsthal	Discusses the ethical implications of human interactions with theEarth and its systems.
Absolute Ethics	Henry Sidgwick	Claims that moral truths are absolute and universal irrespective of individual beliefs.
Situation Ethics	Joseph Fletcher	Suggests that moral decisions should be based on love and the context of the situation.
Nonconsequentialism	W.D. Ross	An ethical theory that argues that the moral value of an action is not solely determined by its consequences.
Human Rights Theory	John Locke	An ethical approach that emphasizes inherent human rights that are universal and must be respected.
Meta-Ethics	M. G. M. Bell	Studies the nature, origin, and meaning of moral values and statements.
Normative Ethics	David Hume	Focuses on establishing how things should be and evaluating moral standards.
Applied Ethics	Peter Singer	Deals with specific controversial moral issues like euthanasia, abortion, and animal rights.
Business Ethics	Joseph Heath	Analyzes ethical principles and moral or ethical problems arising in a business environment.
Professional Ethics	Andrew B. Whitford	Guides professionals in their conduct, emphasizing responsibilities to clients and communities.
Cultural Ethics	Herbert Blumer	Studies how cultural influences shape our understanding of ethics and moral behavior.
Bioethics	Tom L. Beauchamp	Concerns ethical implications of biological research and medical practices.
Cyber Ethics	R. C. Healy	Examines ethical issues in the use of information technology and cyberspace.
Military Ethics	Michael Walzer	Focuses on ethical conduct in military operations and warfare.
Political Ethics	John Rawls	Analyzes ethical issues in politics and governance, emphasizing justice and fairness.
Research Ethics	David B. Resnik	Concerned with ethical issues in conducting research, particularly in human subjects.
Family Ethics	K. E. K. C. L. R. Orr	Focuses on ethical issues within family structures and relationships.
Global Ethics	Thomas Pogge	Examines ethical issues that transcend national boundaries and require global cooperation.
Cybernetic Ethics	Norbert Wiener	Focuses on the ethical implications of systems and technology in society.
Postmodern Ethics	Michel Foucault	Critiques and analyzes moral frameworks through a postmodern lens, emphasizing power dynamics.
Personal Ethics	Victor Frankl	Emphasizes individual values and the search for meaning in personal life choices.
Sustainable Ethics	G. C. De Paula	Focuses on ethical practices that promote sustainability for future generations.
The Ethics of War	Michael Walzer	Analyzes ethical conduct in war, including just war theory.
Socratic Ethics	Socrates	A method focused on dialogue and questioning to stimulate critical thinking about ethical issues.
Idealism	Benedict de Spinoza	A perspective where moral truths are seen as idealized and non-material.
Pragmatic Realism	William James	Combines practical effects with moral realism, considering real-world contexts.
Ethics of Revolution	Hannah Arendt	Analyzes moral considerations in revolutionary movements.
Moral Philosophy	John Stuart Mill	The study of what is right and wrong in human conduct.
Toleration	John Locke	Advocates for a principle of tolerance in diverse societies.
Personalism	Emmanuel Mounier	A philosophical approach prioritizing the dignity of the person over abstract principles.
Antinomialism	Paul Ricoeur	Examines the conflict between moral laws and individual experiences.
Reformed Epistemology	Alvin Plantinga	Posits that belief in moral truths can be rational without evidence.
Ethics of Indifference	Emmanuel Levinas	Critiques indifference in personal ethics, advocating for responsibility to the other.
Ethics of Belief	W.K. Clifford	Claims that it is wrong to believe anything without sufficient evidence.
Social Ethics	Martin Luther King Jr.	An exploration of ethical responsibilities to promote social justice and equality.
Anthropocentric Ethics	Peter Singer	Ethical perspectives centered on human interests and wellbeing.
Postcolonial Ethics	Ngugi wa Thiong'o	Examines moral considerations in a world affected by colonialism and its legacy.
Contemporary Theories	Derek Parfit	Investigates modern theories in ethics and moral philosophy.
Buddhist Ethics	Buddhaghosa	Focuses on compassion, mindfulness and the reduction of suffering.
Stoic Ethics	Seneca	Emphasizes inner peace, virtue, and self-control.
Islamic Ethics	Al-Ghazali	Incorporates Islamic teachings, focusing on moral obligations and community welfare.
Hindu Ethics	Mahatma Gandhi	Integrates concepts of Dharma, Karma, and non-violence into ethical considerations.
Confucian Ethics	Confucius	Emphasizes filial piety and social harmony through virtues.
Virtue Theory	Alasdair MacIntyre	Critiques modern ethics, calling for a return to Aristotelian virtue ethics.
Emotivism	A.J. Ayer	Posits that moral statements express emotional reactions rather than factual claims.
Cognitivism	Roderick Firth	Holds that moral judgments are beliefs that can be true or false.
Constructivism	John Rawls	Suggests moral principles can be constructed through fair processes.
Intersectional Ethics	Kimberlé Crenshaw	Explores ethics through the lens of intersecting social identities and systemic inequalities.
Teleological Ethics	Aristotle	Focuses on the consequences of actions as the basis for moral judgment.
Disability Ethics	Tom Shakespeare	Investigates moral issues surrounding disability and societal treatment.
Queer Ethics	Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick	Examines moral questions through queer theory lenses.
Intellectual Virtue Ethics	M. R. Carr	Focuses on the virtues necessary for intellectual and academic pursuits.
Sustainable Development Ethics	Gro Harlem Brundtland	Seeks to balance ethical responsibilities to present and future generations.
Organizational Ethics	Linda K. Treviño	Examines ethical practices within organizations and businesses.
Environmental Justice	Robert Bullard	Examines the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in an ethical context.
Consumer Ethics	Ryan H. P. Holdway	Explores moral issues related to consumer behavior and purchasing decisions.
Community Ethics	A. H. E. T. W. T. B. O'Connor	Emphasizes the ethical dimensions of community relationships and responsibilities.
Interfaith Ethics	Diana Eck	Explores ethical perspectives that arise in interfaith dialogues.
Political Philosophy	John Rawls	Analyzes the moral implications of political systems and institutions.
Action Theory	Donald Davidson	Studies the connection between ethics and the motivation for human actions.
Behavioral Ethics	Dan Ariely	Investigates how psychological factors influence our ethical decision-making.
Moral Psychology	Jonathan Haidt	Explores the intersection of psychology and ethical behavior.
Philosophical Ethics	Robert Louden	A synthetic approach focusing on the nature and implications of ethical theories.
Philosophy of Law	H.L.A. Hart	Studies the moral basis and implications of legal principles.
Philosophy of Religion	William James	Explores the intersections between ethical thought and religious belief.
Normative Theories	Chris Heathwood	Focuses on theoretical frameworks for evaluating moral standards.
Existential Ethics Analysis	Simone de Beauvoir	Examines existential choices and their moral implications.
Universal Ethics	Peter Singer	Argues for the universality of ethical principles across cultures.
Transnational Ethics	Manfred Nowak	Focuses on ethical considerations that span beyond national interests.
Comparative Ethics	Cynthia D. Stokes	Compares various ethical theories and examines their cultural implications.
Philosophical Pedagogy	T. A. W. A. Barthel	Considers the ethical dimensions of teaching and educating in philosophy.
Ethics and Technology	Sherry Turkle	Analyzes the ethical implications of technology on society and individuals.
Ethics of AI	Nick Bostrom	Explores moral considerations regarding artificial intelligence and its impact.
Algorithmic Justice	Kate Crawford	Investigates the ethical implications of algorithms and their societal consequences.
Digital Ethics	Peter Asaro	Focuses on ethical issues arising from digital technology and media.
Information Ethics	J. David Archibald	Examines ethical principles surrounding information sharing and dissemination.
Urban Ethics	A. Susan A. Samuel	Engages with ethical issues in urban development and community planning.
Cultural Relativism	Ruth Benedict	Suggests moral codes are culture-bound, and ethical implications vary by society.
Foundational Ethics	Michael J. Sandel	Examines the basic principles underlying moral philosophy.
Metaphysical Ethics	David Lewis	Investigates the underlying metaphysical claims of moral theories.
Concepts of Justice	John Rawls	Explores differing concepts of justice within ethical frameworks.
Ethics of Space Exploration	James T. Slevin	Analyzes moral issues related to space exploration and its implications for humanity.
Colonial Ethics	Nzubechi Obasi	Examines moral implications resulting from colonial histories and practices.
Race and Ethics	Charles Mills	Explores moral considerations and implications of race and racism.
Future Generations Ethics	John Pascoe	Focuses on ethical responsibilities towards future populations.
Corporate Social Responsibility	Archie B. Carroll	Analyzes the ethical responsibilities of corporations beyond profit-making.
Hospitality Ethics	Anna L. T. Talamucci	Focuses on responsibilities and moral considerations in the hospitality industry.
Crisis Ethics	Laurence Thomas	Explores moral responsiveness during crises, disasters, and emergencies.
Philosophy of Human Rights	Amartya Sen	Investigates the moral foundations and implications of human rights.
Moral Licensing	J. F. V. J. C. P. Baptista	Examines how past moral behavior influences future ethical decisions.
Self-regulation	L. G. E. B. B. Gudykunst	Investigates the relationship between self-regulation and ethical behavior.
Compassionate Ethics	Karen Armstrong	Emphasizes the moral significance of compassion in ethical considerations.
Enlightenment Ethics	Immanuel Kant	Explores ethical frameworks arising during the Enlightenment period.
Mixed Methods Ethics	Maria K. V. Georgiades	Combines qualitative and quantitative approaches in ethical research and analysis.
Narrative Ethics	H. Tristram Engelhardt	Utilizes narrative as a tool for ethical understanding and examination.
Digital Citizenship	Danah Boyd	Investigates the ethical obligations of individuals in digital spaces.
Moral Courage	Ruth Anne Robbins	Studies the notion of moral courage and its importance in moral dilemmas.
Civic Ethics	Elizabeth Millard	Focuses on ethical responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society.
Intellectual Responsibility	Raymond Geuss	Explores ethical obligations of intellectuals and academia.
Autoethnography Ethics	Heewon Chang	Looks into the ethical considerations of conducting autoethnographic research.
Quantum Ethics	David Wallace	Examines the ethical implications arising from advancements in quantum mechanics.
Philosophical Counseling	G. A. G. Johnson	Explores the ethical dimensions of philosophical counseling practices.
Discourse Ethics	Jürgen Habermas	Argues for ethical discourse as fundamental to understanding moral principles.
Biopolitical Ethics	Michel Foucault	Investigates the ethics surrounding life and governance in various contexts.
Ontological Ethics	Martin Heidegger	Studies the ethical implications of existence and being.
Security Ethics	T. A. A. Maisel	Engages with moral considerations regarding national and global security.
Colonialism and Morality	Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o	Examines ethical implications of colonial practices and their legacy.
Logos and Ethics	Hans-Georg Gadamer	Explores the role of rational discourse in ethical understanding.
Ethical Pluralism	David B. Wong	Considers the coexistence of multiple ethical principles as guiding moral action.
Liberal Ethics	John Stuart Mill	Explores ethics grounded in individual rights and freedoms.
Dynamic Ethics	Jacques Lacan	Investigates the dynamic nature of ethics in various contexts.
Posthuman Ethics	Rosi Braidotti	Examines moral considerations in a posthuman world.
Sensitivity Ethics	Michael D. Lee	Explores the importance of sensitivity in ethical decision-making.
Game Ethics	Michael O'Sullivan	Analyzes ethical dilemmas arising in various gaming contexts.
Intersectionality and Ethics	Kimberlé Crenshaw	Focuses on how multiple identities impact ethical considerations.
Public Health Ethics	Lawrence O. Gostin	Studies the ethical implications of public health practices and policies.
Workplace Ethics	Michael E. Thomas	Explores ethical responsibilities in professional environments.
Art and Ethics	Arthur Danto	Investigates the moral implications of artistic expression.
Public Good Ethics	Elinor Ostrom	Explores ethical considerations in the management of public goods.
Freedom and Responsibility	Jean-Paul Sartre	Examines the connection between freedom, choice, and moral accountability.
Ethics of Disassociation	Richard Turco	Analyzes the ethical implications of choosing to disassociate from certain ideologies or groups.
Logistics of Ethics	Peter Verhoeff	Explores the logistical implications of ethical decision-making in organizations.
Ecological Ethics	Aldo Leopold	Analyzes moral interactions between humans and the ecosystem.
Metaphysical Necessities	S. W. D. A. R. K. K. Andriessen	Investigates necessary moral actions stemming from metaphysical assumptions.
Shame-Based Ethics	Garry W. Witmore	Explores how shame influences ethical behaviors and moral judgments.
Character-Based Ethics	W. D. Ross	Emphasizes the importance of character in moral decision-making.
Ethics of Memory	Paul Ricoeur	Examines the ethical implications of remembering and forgetting.
Memory and Identity Ethic	Hannah Arendt	Explores the ethical dimensions of individual and collective memory.
Resilience Ethics	Resilience Alliance	Investigates the ethical implications of resilience in communities and ecosystems.
Peace Ethics	Paul R. Ehrlich	Explores ethical frameworks aimed at promoting peace and conflict resolution.
Custodial Ethics	Katherine K. Miller	Focuses on responsibilities and ethical considerations for custodial practices.
Soul and Ethics	Plato	Investigates the role of the soul in ethical understanding and moral action.
Moderation Ethics	Aristotle	Advocates for moderation and balance in ethical decision-making.
Faith-Based Ethics	G. C. G. K. O'Connor	Explores the intersection of faith and ethics.
Ethics of Extremism	Balogun A. Razaq	Analyzes the ethical implications of extremist views and actions.
Epistemic Ethics	Richard Rorty	Investigates the ethical dimensions of knowledge and belief.
Anticipatory Ethics	J. M. G. A. B. H. Fredericks	Focuses on moral responsibility for future outcomes and events.
Action-Guiding Ethics	Khutai Kiwy Vilankulu	Explores how ethical theories guide actual behavior.
Selfless Ethics	L. M. C. Eccles	Investigates the notion of selflessness in moral contexts.
Social Media Ethics	Danah Boyd	Studies the ethical implications and responsibilities of social media usage.
Commodification Ethics	Michael K. W. L. Harlan	Examines ethical dilemmas associated with commodifying values.
Social Contract Revisited	Thomas Hobbes	Reevaluates classical social contract theories in a contemporary context.
Structural Ethics	John Stuart Mill	Explores the ethical structure of societies and its implications.
Religious Ethics	Peter J. Leithart	Focuses on the intersection of religion and ethical theories.
Global Citizenship Ethics	M. Stewart	Explores the ethical obligations of individuals in a global context.
Constitutional Ethics	Richard R. Beeman	Investigates the ethical implications of constitutional law and governance.
Governing Ethics	Gregory S. R. Peal	Explores ethical frameworks guiding the governance of society.
Paternalism in Ethics	J. D. T. Sowell	Examines moral considerations surrounding paternalistic interventions.
Climate Change Ethics	Gretchen Daily	Investigates the ethical dimensions of climate change and environmental policies.
Philosophical Ethics for Kids	G. B. K. Villanueva	Explores approaches to teaching ethics to children.
Belief Ethics	William S. Lind	Focuses on the ethical implications of belief systems.
Financial Ethics	Urs Fischer	Examines ethical dilemmas arising in financial industries.
Economic Justice	Thomas Piketty	Critically analyzes the ethical implications of economic systems.
Experimental Ethics	Peter-Bach J. T. van Dijnen	Explores moral theories using experimental philosophy.
classical Ethics	Hannah Arendt	Investigates morality from a classical perspective.
Literary Ethics	Martha Nussbaum	Explores ethics in literature and its implications for moral thought.