Divine Command Theory An Ethical Theory - 828 Words

Divine command theory is an ethical theory (metaethics) which asserts that an actions place as morally good, is corresponding to whether or not it is commanded by God. The theory states, roughly, that â€Å"The view that morality is somehow dependent upon God, and that moral obligation consists in obedience to God’s commands. Divine Command Theory includes the claim that morality is ultimately based on the commands or character of God, and that the morally right action is the one that God commands or requires.† Enthusiasts of both mono and polytheistic religions, in both archaic and modern times, have regularly welcomed the extreme influence of God’s commands in implementing morality. Diverse modifications of the theory have been conferred: historically, powerful symbols and characters, including Plato, Duns Scotus, Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Augustine, have all given us distinct and diverse versions of the divine command theory. However, a recent philosopher nam ed Robert Adams, has suggested a type of modified divine command theory set on the good-will of God in which morality is directly related to human interpretations of right and wrong. While the basic grounds of the Divine Command Theory are straightforward, things become convoluted when one contemplates why God’s commands are good. The sounder version of the divine command theory asserts that virtue and morality is an establishment of God s will. According to this perspective, benevolence is good because God has willedShow MoreRelatedThe Divine Command Theory : An Ethical Theory1217 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction The Divine Command Theory is an ethical theory that states that an action is moral, or good, if God commands it - and, by extension, if God forbids an action, it is immoral. I was raised with the teachings of the Bible being used to show me the separation between right and wrong – between God’s will and man’s sinful desires. I always accepted that my sense of morality was set on the bedrock of the holy Scriptures – the Ten Commandments, the teachings of Jesus, the epistles in the NewRead MoreThe Doctrine Of The Divine Command Theory1377 Words   |  6 Pagessome of the most thought provoking theories and ideas from some of the greatest philosophers. One of those theories is the Divine Command theory. The Divine Command theory tries to explain the relation between God and what is morally correct and there have been many philosophers who have taken very opposing views on the theory in order to determine of society should accept this theory. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Divine Command theory is â€Å"the view that morality is somehowRead MoreThe Dilemma Of The Euthyphro Dilemma952 Words   |  4 Pagesomniscient, and he creates life and living organisms on our planet. In addition, the readers can understand that Socrates gives two right options; however, it is just an inescapable circular in this reasoning. These two possibilities refer to the ethical behavior, and morality is not the same as the God of love. Indeed, Euthyphro’s thesis does not show us the nature of morality, and it mostly focuses on the quality of ethics. According to the Euthyphro Dilemma by Plato, the readers can understandRead MoreEuthyphro Dialogue Essay examples1485 Words   |  6 PagesIn the dialogue Euthyphro (Cahn and Markie), Plato presents an argument against the divine command meta-ethical theory. While the argument is presented against the predominantly pantheistic Greek religions, the argument can be easily applied to the monotheistic Abrahamic religions. The dialogue starts off with the two main characters: Euthyphro and Socrates. Socrates has been indicted for corrupting the youth of Athens and Euthyphro is indicting his father for murdering a day-labourer who killedRead MoreDivine Command Theory By evo1 | Studymode.com The Ten Commandments brought to us through Moses1600 Words   |  7 PagesDivine Command Theory By evo1 | Studymode.com The Ten Commandments brought to us through Moses were said to be mans first laws. According to the Bible society was devoid of morality with the people running rampant. There were no laws to govern the actions of society and this created a hedonistic environment with people doing whatever they wanted without regard to the ramifications of such behavior. Obviously unable to govern their own impulses and without any moral compass the society was in dangerRead MoreEthical System Project. Overall, I Favor A Modified Divine1302 Words   |  6 PagesEthical System Project Overall, I favor a modified divine command based ethical system. Essentially, God is the author and founder of what is right and wrong, and each of his commands are birthed from and reflect his divine, self-sufficient essence. The Holy Scriptures tell us two critical realities of God. First, Genesis 1:1 states, â€Å"In the beginning, God [†¦]† From this we see that God was first, preeminent, before all things; he is the foundation of all that was, is, and will be. Accordingly, thisRead MoreThe Euthyphro Dilemma Essay2679 Words   |  11 PagesReligion and morality have been seen as inseparable since the advent of Western thought (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-morality/) - religions fundamental characters being frequently ethical in nature, and morality often viewed as a derivative of religion. However, the relationship is not as clear cut as many people would like you to believe. A very old and important dilemma facing this relationship is the Euthyphro dil emma, discussed in Plato’s Euthyphro. In it, Socrates and EuthyphroRead MoreOn Euthyphros Dilemma and Divine Command Essay examples1757 Words   |  8 Pagesand Divine Command In Platos Euthyphro, Socrates presents a fundamentally meta-ethical problem to Euthyphro by asking â€Å"whether the pious or holy is beloved by the gods because it is holy, or holy because it is beloved of the gods† (Plato 219)? I will relate this question to the Divine Command Theory of morality and discuss the philosophical implications associated with each possible answer to the dilemma while demonstrating fallacies and inequalities within each. Divine Command Theory (DCT)Read MoreDivine Command Theory, Deontology, And Virtue Ethics1618 Words   |  7 Pagesand answers to ethical problems and the morality construction in which is the correct way of going about life upon many years. Philosophers have begun to narrow down the cases that provide the best support to answer ethical questions which we encounter. That being, divine command theory, utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics all provide adequate insight to everyday morality. There are flaws and strengths to each and every one of these concepts. However, divine command theory proves to provideRead MoreI Believe Act Utilitarianism Is The Strongest Ethical Theory958 Words   |  4 Pagesimprove his/her thinking. Within philosophy, there are many ethical theories. Such theories include: the Divine Command Theory, Hedonism, Desire Theory, Ethical Relativism, and much more. In this term paper, I will discuss which theory I believe is the strongest and which theory I b elieve is the weakest. Regardless, there is no perfect theory. Each theory has their own flaws. I believe act-utilitarianism is the strongest ethical theory presented in class. According to Russ Shafer-Landau, act-utilitarianism