Divine Command Theory, Hedonism, and Euthypro Dilemma

Divine Command Theory

Divine command theory (DCT) holds that morality is nothing but the commands of God.

Moral objective truths come from God.

Divine Command Theory Argument

God created the entire universe and everything in it, including each of us.
We do not exist in our own right, but only as his creatures.
This gives him an “absolute claim on our obedience.”
Therefore, “we ought to do what He desires.”

(Problem with this argument is that it can mean that we must follow unjust things that God commands us to do.)

Euthyphro’s Dilemma

Do the gods love good action because it is good (1), or is good action good because it is loved by the gods (2)?

The dilemma proves that anything God says would be correct. God’s will is arbitrary: why would God need to command things that are good if they are already morally good?

Things exist already that are morally right so God would not have the right to command these things, he would have to abide by them.

How does Euthyphro’s dilemma serve as a problem for divine command theory?

If we argue does God commands things because what he commands is morally right (1) then there is an independent basis for the rightness on what is morally right.

(2) No matter what God commands it would be morally right. If things are not already right in itself, then God has no reason to command things that are morally right.

Hedonism

Pleasure is the only intrinsically good. All other things that are good are because they cause pleasure, are pleasurable, or lead to pleasure.

The only thing that is intrinsically bad (i.e., bad in itself) is pain. All other things that are bad because they are painful, cause pain, or will ultimately lead to pain

Evaluating Hedonism

Is it true that all good things are good solely because they are pleasurable, cause pleasure, or ultimately lead to pleasure?

This is not true since not all things lead to pleasure for some people.

Knowledge could be contradicting because things you learn about could cause pain.

Epicurus - “Letter to Menoeceus”

We should not fear death since we do not experience pain after it. (Might not be true since death is painful for some people)

Pleasure is the ultimate good but it does not mean that we should choose every pleasure.

Pain is ultimate evil but it does not mean that we should reject pain.

The best pleasure is one that is free of both physical and mental pains.

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”

Theme: Happiness is an exception that is needed for the general welfare.

People live in a perfect joyful city that is perfect. Citizens are happy but they are not naive and unintelligent. People can do whatever could make them happy (hedonism, bringing pleasure).

There is a drug called drooz. People also celebrate courage but they have no soldiers.

Significance of the child

In a room, there is a malnourished child locked up in a tiny room. People occasionally come to give the child food. Used to constantly scream “I will be good” but stop as it is suffering.

Everyone in the town knows about this child and they know everything good in this life is at the cost of the child’s suffering.

Each child learns about the malnourished child at some point and they want to free it however, not freeing the child is justified. If it was free, it would not experience joy as it does not know that feeling.

What do some people do after hearing about the child?

Some citizens leave the city in silence after hearing about the child and never come back. They know where they are going apparently and do it with a sense of purpose.