Divine Command Theory

What is DCT?

A meta-ethical theory that asserts that what is morally right or wrong is determined by the commands of a divine being, God

What is evidence that God commands what is right/wrong?

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” - NRSV Bible

How is right/wrong objective based on God’s will?

• Right is only right because God has commanded it & wrong is only wrong because God forbids it

• These rules apply universally, regardless of time & culture

Why is DCT deontological?

It becomes the duty of the moral agent to obey God’s commands through following scripture or church teachings

What is a Frankena quote linking to DCT?

“What ultimately makes an action right or wrong is its being commanded or forbidden by God and nothing else.”

What is a challenge to DCT?

The Euthyphro Dilemma

What is the Euthyphro Dilemma?

• Plato raises question whether God commands things because they’re good in themselves or are things good because God commands them?

• Is morality external from God?

What is a Baggini quote linking to the Euthyphro Dilemma?

“God sets the moral rules and God’s rules apply to all, irrespective of time and place.”

What is another challenge of DCT?

It proposes morality is arbitrary as it is dependant on God’s commands

What did Robert Adams argue to defend DCT?

• Morality is grounded in the character of God & one characteristic is his omnibenevolence so whatever God commands inevitably reflects this

• Morality is intrinsic to God’s unchanging omnibenevolent nature

What is a quote from Robert Adams?

“Any action is ethically wrong if and only if it is contrary to the commands of a loving God.”