Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values,

reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational argument. In more casual speech, by extension, "philosophy" can refer to "the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group". The word "philosophy" comes from the Ancient Greek (philosophia), which literally means "love of wisdom". The introduction of the terms "philosopher" and "philosophy" has been ascribed to the Greek thinker Pythagoras.
Consequentialism is the class of normative ethical theories holding that the consequences of one's conduct are the ultimate basis for any judgment about the rightness of that conduct. Thus, from a consequentialist standpoint, a [citation needed] morally right act (or omission) is one that will produce a good outcome, or consequence. Consequentialism is usually distinguished from deontological ethics (or deontology), in that deontology derives the rightness or wrongness of one's conduct from the character of the behaviour itself rather than the outcomes of the conduct. It is also distinguished from virtue ethics, which focuses on the character of the agent rather than on the nature or consequences of the act (or omission) itself, and pragmatic ethics which treats morality like science: advancing socially over the course of many lifetimes, such that any moral criterion is subject to revision. Consequentialist theories differ in how they define moral goods. Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest. It differs from psychological egoism, which claims that people can only act in their self-interest. Ethical egoism also differs from rational egoism, which holds that it is rational to act in one's self-interest. Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.

Nonconsequentialists claim that right action is not solely a matter of producing good consequences. They claim that it is important how one treats people in the course of bringing about good consequences. This class will consider what the nonconsequentialist perspective implies for harming and benefiting people. Possible topics include: whether we should distinguish morally between harming people as a result of producing a good consequence and harming them in the course of producing such a consequence; whether it is permissible to redirect threats from a larger number of people to a smaller number of people (as discussed in the Trolley Problem); whether it is ever permissible to torture people or make agreements to harm them as a means to helping others; in what ways we should benefit people when we cannot benefit everyone; how creating people relates to harming and benefiting them
Ethical intuitionism (also called moral intuitionism) is usually understood as a meta-ethical theory that embraces the following theses: 1. Moral realism, the view that there are objective facts of morality, 2. Ethical non-naturalism, the view that these evaluative facts cannot be reduced to natural fact. 3. The thesis that our intuitive awareness of value, or intuitive knowledge of evaluative facts, forms the foundation of our ethical knowledge. However, ethical intuitionism is at a minimum a view in moral epistemology according to which some moral truths can be known without inference. That is, the view is at its core a foundationalismabout moral beliefs. Of course, such an epistemological view implies that there are moral beliefs with propositional contents; so it implies cognitivism.

However, both moral realism and ethical non-naturalism are not essential to the view; most ethical intuitionists simply happen to hold those views as well.

Divine Command Ethics (a.k.a. Theological Voluntarism) This ethical theory holds that all moral requirements derive from God's commands. One way of articulating the basic idea goes as follows. * An action is morally forbidden (wrong) because God commands against it. * An action is morally permitted (right) because it is not the case that God commands against it. * An action is morally obligatory because God commands that it be performed. (Duty Ethics)Kant says that only one [kind of] thing is inherently good, and that is the good will. The will

found in humans but not nonhuman animals not a material thing it is our power of rational moral choice its presence gives humans their inherent dignity

Virtue ethics is a broad term for theories that emphasize the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than either doing ones duty or acting in order to bring about good consequences. A virtue ethicist is likely to give you this kind of moral advice: Act as a virtuous person would act in your situation. Suppose it is obvious that someone in need should be helped. A utilitarian will point to the fact that the consequences of doing so will maximize well-being, a deontologist to the fact that, in doing so the agent will be acting in accordance with a moral rule such as Do unto others as you would be done by and a virtue ethicist to the fact that helping the person would be charitable or benevolent.