divine command theory

what is divine command theory?

what is moral / immoral commanded by divine

what is the Euthypro dilemma?

• by Plato

• Socrates vs Euthypro

  • Euthypro prosecuting father, thinking God commanded it

what are Socrates’ two horns in the Euthypro dilemma?

“is what is pious loved by the Gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved?”

• are right actions right because God commanded them OR did God command them because they are right?

evidence in support of: ‘right actions are right because God commanded them’

God makes goodness, so anything he says is right logically is right

evidence against: ‘right actions are right because God commanded them’

• God ordered Abraham to kill his son

• concept of good vacuous

  • if God decides arbitrarily

• humans = no moral compass

• abhorrent commands

  • God could command genocide, and it would be classed as right?

evidence against: ‘right actions are commanded by God because they are right’

independence problem

• God didn’t create goodness - seems to be existing outside God

• God’s status devalued (not omnipotent)

  • external entity binding him to decision-making

• so why not worship source of goodness directly?