Character guide

G. E. Moore

major

Also known as Unknown, me, myself, mine, ourselves, ours, Our, our

The author and narrator, presenting his ethical philosophy throughout the work.

J. S. Mill

supporting

Also known as Mill, himself

Utilitarian philosopher whose hedonistic ethics are critically examined.

Herbert Spencer

supporting

Also known as Mr. Spencer, Mr. Herbert Spencer, Spencer, himself

Evolutionary philosopher whose naturalistic ethics are analyzed and critiqued.

Henry Sidgwick

supporting

Also known as Prof. Henry Sidgwick, Prof. Sidgwick, Sidgwick, Professor Sidgwick, himself

Ethicist whose views on hedonism and intuitionism are extensively discussed.

Jeremy Bentham

supporting

Also known as Bentham, himself

Founder of utilitarianism, whose hedonistic calculus is critically evaluated.

Immanuel Kant

supporting

Also known as Kant, himself

Metaphysical ethicist whose categorical imperative is contrasted with Moore's views.

Aristotle

minor

Ancient philosopher whose ethical framework is referenced in discussions of the good.

Socrates

minor

Also known as your

Classical philosopher invoked in dialogues about ethical inquiry and the good.

Plato

minor

Ancient philosopher whose theory of Forms is discussed in relation to the ideal.

Jean-Marie Guyau

minor

Also known as Guyau, par M. Guyau

French philosopher whose hedonistic views are briefly examined.

T. H. Green

minor

Also known as Green

Idealist philosopher whose metaphysical ethics are critiqued.

Franz Brentano

minor

Also known as Brentano

Austrian philosopher whose concept of intentionality is referenced.

Charles Darwin

minor

Also known as Darwin

Naturalist whose evolutionary theory is mentioned in ethical contexts.

Protarchus

minor

Dialogue partner in Plato's Philebus, cited in discussions of pleasure.

Callicratidas

minor

Spartan commander mentioned as an example of ethical motivation.

Charicles

minor

Figure from ancient literature used as an ethical example.

Jesus Christ

minor

Also known as Christ

Religious figure referenced in discussions of moral ideals.

The Egoist

minor

Also known as himself

Hypothetical character representing egoistic ethical theory.

Hedonists

minor

Also known as their

Generic proponents of hedonism, discussed as a philosophical group.

Casuistry

minor

Also known as their, its, Its

Personified method of case-based ethical reasoning critiqued in the text.