Is there an argument to be made that Western philosophy is actually the study of the evolution of Western ethics?

I've been thinking about Western philosophy a lot since I've been studying it for the last three years but I find myself approaching each philosopher and asking the same questions. How does he view the human condition? And how should we treat other people as a result?<br><br>Socrates believed we should exalt reason above all else and live inside the pollice (sp?). Kant believed we should always treat other people as an end and never a means to an end but take no concern with their well-being. Aristotle believed we should seek the life of virtue. Hobbes believed we should create a strong centralized government to protect us from everyone else because humans are inherently selfish by nature and if given the chance, would take advantage of others to get ahead.