PHIL103 Divine Command Theory & Natural Law Theory

What is the divine command theory?

Things morally right are commanded by God whilst things morally wrong are forbidden by God

What two advantages are there to divine command theory?

Solves the problem of objectivity of ethics and suggests an answer as to why we should bother with ethics

What two problems arise with divine command theory?

Right conduct is right purely because God commands it

God command us to do certain things because they are right

Describe the problem with divine command theory: commands are right because God commands it

Empty as what does it mean to say God is good? It is not informative and we cannot explain why we do things without God. By placing moral principles under God we give the wrong reasons for them

Describe the problem with divine command theory: God commands are right cause he knows what is right

Independence problem: the standard of right and wrong is independent of God and he himself would have to live up to it- this abandons the concept of right/wrong

What is the natural law theory with God?

The claim that the world had a rational order and purpose cause God made them like that. The order and purpose of things is because the world was created according tp a divine plan

What is the first problem with natural law theory?

It confuses is and ought, trying to blend fact and values into each other when they are separate (what is the case vs what ought to be the case)

What is the second problem with natural law theory?

It does not agree with modern science

What is the relationship between religion and particular moral issues?

Religious scriptures can be ambiguous, not direct to modern problems, and believers can take things out of context

What is consequentialism

Consequences are what matter most in morality: they are measurable, real and defensible. It does not matter the means as long as the consequence is positive it is morally correct

What us Bentham’s utilitariansim

Is consequentialism but specifies the consequence is happiness and reduction of suffering