Ethical Theory - Divine Command Theory

Ethics

What is Divine Command Theory?

A theory that says mortality is directed by God's commands; moral goodness occurs when moral agents are obedient to God's commands.

What does Divine Command Theory assume about God?

It assumes that God exists and is concerned with human action.

According to Theists who support Divine Command Theory, where do all moral requirements come from?

All moral requirements come from God.

What do Theists believe about the origin of morality?

They believe that God is the originator of morality.

What is the single moral obligation for Theists according to Divine Command Theory?

To obey God.

Why should all other commands be obeyed according to Theists who support Divine Command Theory?

Because God commands them.

What does Divine Command Theory require regarding free will?

Divine Command Theory requires that we have free will to choose behaviours that are contrary to God's command.

What should we do if we want to be morally virtuous according to Divine Command Theory?

We should choose to avoid behaviours that are contrary to God's command.

Which scripture contains the Ten Commandments?

Exodus 20

What does Matthew 22 instruct us to do?

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart.'

What type of ethical theory is DCT - 2 types?

Divine Command Theory states two things:

1. What God commands is the same as that which is good (meta ethical)

2. We ought to obey anything that God commands

(normative)

What is a meta ethical approach in ethical theory?

It is concerned with the definitions of moral terms.

In a meta ethical approach, how is goodness defined?

Goodness is defined as what God commands.

What is a normative approach in ethical theory?

It is concerned with formulating actual rules for human behaviour.

What does the normative approach say about obeying God's commands?

We should obey whatever God commands.

According to the normative approach, how can one be considered a morally good person?

By obeying God's commands.

What is said about acting contrary to any command from God in the normative approach?

It is intellectually unreasonable to act contrary to any command from God.

What does Divine Command Theory state about God's commands?

Whatever God commands is objectively good and not subject to personal preferences.

According to Divine Command Theory, what is required for obedience?

If an omnipotent God exists, then it would require obedience because all of the being's commands would be morally perfect.

What does Divine Command Theory suggest about the standard of morality?

An all-powerful creator God would have created the standard of morality for humanity, which must therefore be obeyed.

What is the implication of Divine Command Theory for being a good person?

To be a good person only requires you to comply with God's will.

What is the Euthyphro dilemma?

It questions whether goodness is dependent on or independent of God, proposed by Plato.

In which dialogue does the Euthyphro dilemma appear?

Plato's dialogue about the nature of goodness.

What are the two options presented in the Euthyphro dilemma?

1. Good is commanded by God because it is good. 2. Good is commanded by God, therefore it is good.

What does the first horn of the Euthyphro dilemma suggest?

Good is a separate entity from God and God's will, implying that humanity can achieve goodness without God.

What is the implication of the first horn for theists?

It suggests that when God is good, He is living up to an external and independent standard.

What is the second horn of the Euthyphro dilemma known as?

The arbitrariness problem.

What does the second horn of the Euthyphro dilemma imply about God's commands?

Goodness is caused by God's approval, making it arbitrary; God could command anything and it would be considered good.

What example illustrates the arbitrariness problem in the Euthyphro dilemma?

If God commanded murder, Euthyphro would be forced to support his father's actions.

What is the Pluralism objection to Divine Command Theory?

It refers to the contradictory nature of God's commands as claimed by different religions.

What does the Pluralism objection highlight about understandings of divinity?

It points out that there are numerous understandings of what divinity is and different conceptions of what humanity has been commanded to do by the divine.

What dilemma do believers face according to the Pluralism objection?

Believers must decide for themselves what commands are correct, similar to the process non-believers take.

What is a criticism of Divine Command Theory regarding obedience to commands?

It seems no advantage for DCT as obedience to commands is insufficient to do what is good.

What are the first two possible situations to the arbitrariness problem according to Robert Adams?

1. Logically impossible for God to command cruelty for its own sake.

2. God could command cruelty for its own sake, and if God commanded it, we would be obliged to obey.

What is Adams' response to the 1st solution to the arbitrariness problem?

Adams does not find either options acceptable; Responses to the first two are:

1. He sees no logical reason why it is impossible for God to command cruelty for its owns sake. For it to be impossible, God's nature would have to be subject to an external standard of right and wrong.

What is Adams' response to the 2nd solution to the arbitrariness problem?

2. It is abhorrent in Christian theology to assume that God could ever command cruelty because, while it is logically consistent, it does not reflect the Christian understanding of the nature of God.

What is Adams' response to the 3rd solution to the arbitrariness problem?

3. DCT claims that the statement 'cruelty is wrong' means the same as the statement 'cruelty is agents God's commands'. Adams agrees but says that it is only true if we assume God has a benevolent nature.

What does Divine Command Theory (DCT) claim about the statement 'cruelty is wrong'?

DCT claims that it means the same as 'cruelty is against God's command.'

What is Adams' position regarding God's character in relation to DCT?

Adams agrees with DCT but states it is only true if we assume God has a benevolent character.

What would happen if God commanded cruelty, according to Adams?

If God commanded cruelty, then God would not have a kind and loving nature, and it may be acceptable to disobey God.

Why is Adams careful in his claims about obeying God?

He does not want to risk abandoning DCT by claiming we should disobey God if God commands cruelty.

What does Adams say about the concept of wrong if God commands cruelty?

He makes no claims about whether we should obey if God commands cruelty because the concept of wrong would become meaningless.

How would the meaning of the concept of wrong change if God commanded it?

The concept of wrong would no longer mean the same thing if God commanded it.

What is Divine Command based on?

God's omnibenevolence

What does Adams say about God's ability to command cruelty?

It is logically possible, but unthinkable because God is a loving God.

What is an advantage of Divine Command theory?

The content of moral judgments is not arbitrary.

Why can't moral commands contain random content according to Divine Command theory?

Moral commands arise from the very nature of God.

What should we do if a being commands cruelty for its own sake?

These commands need to not be obeyed.

What does Adams suggest about following the commandments of a non-loving God?

We should not feel obligated to follow them.

What type of God's commands should we follow according to Adams?

Only the commands of a loving God.

What is our responsibility regarding God's commands?

To ensure that God is loving before we choose to follow his commands.