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Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. A theory based on the principle of the greatest happiness, suggesting that an action is right if it leads to the most happiness for the greatest number of people.

Immanuel Kant. A theory that suggests actions are morally right based on their adherence to rules and duties, irrespective of the outcomes they produce.

Aristotle. This theory emphasizes the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than either doing one's duty or acting to bring about good consequences.

Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This theory posits that morality is founded upon mutual agreements and the social contracts that shape societies.

Carol Gilligan and Nel Noddings. This theory prioritizes empathy, compassion, and relationships, particularly in personal and dependent scenarios where individuals are in a state of vulnerability.

Thomas Aquinas. A theory asserting that morality is grounded in rational understanding and adherence to objectively observable laws of nature.

Jean-Paul Sartre. This ethical perspective emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and personal responsibility within an inherently meaningless and indifferent universe.

John Rawls. A theory focusing on the fairness of processes for deciding moral norms and distributive justice, often exemplified by Rawls's 'veil of ignorance'.

Various theologians and philosophers including Augustine of Hippo. This theory suggests that morality is intrinsically linked to God's will or commands.

Ayn Rand. A normative ethical theory that prescribes that individuals ought to act in their own self-interest.

G. E. M. Anscombe and others. An ethical theory that judges actions by their outcomes, suggesting that the morality of an action is contingent upon its resulting consequences.

Epicurus. This theory considers the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain to be the highest good and proper aim of human life.

Michael Sandel and Charles Taylor. An ethical theory that emphasizes the interests of the community as a whole and the importance of social values and institutions in shaping individual identities.

Various anthropologists and philosophers. A theory positing that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture and that there are no universal moral standards.

William James and John Dewey. This theory suggests that morality should be regarded as a tool for resolving societal challenges, advocating for practices that are most likely to enhance human well-being.

Alison Jaggar and Carol Gilligan. A collection of ethical perspectives which critiques traditional ethical systems as being male-dominant and seeks to redefine or reconsider ethical issues through a feminist lens.

Aldo Leopold and Peter Singer. A part of ethics that explores the moral relationship of humans to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment and its non-human contents.

Friedrich Nietzsche (often associated but not a proponent). This philosophy posits that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value, and that moral and religious principles are unfounded.

Zeno of Citium, Seneca, Epictetus. An ancient Greek philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions.