Module 4: Divine Command & Natural Law Theory

Theism

The belief in at least one God's existence, and that the deity(ies) is/are active in the world.

Atheism

The belief that God doesn’t exist.

Agnosticism

Believe that God, deities, or the supernatural is unknown or unknowable.

Polytheism

The belief in the existence of multiple Gods.

Argument for God being a moral motivator

This argument posits that God's existence provides the foundation for moral obligations, implying that without God, moral values would lack objective or firm grounding.

Argument for God’s role in rational morality

This argument posits that belief in God provides a logical foundation for moral standards, as divine authority encourages ethical behavior, even when it contradicts self-interest.

Argument for God's Creation of Morality

The argument that every law requires a lawmaker, thus moral law requires a lawmaker, ultimately leading to the conclusion that God is the author of moral law.

God’s role in morality (from assumption #4)

God can be seen as an infallible guide in morality, even if not its creator.

Revelation

God communicating moral wisdom through direct means (personal communication) or indirect means (inspiring sacred texts).

Moral requirements (assumption #4)

An act is morally required if God commands it, and it is immoral if God forbids it, reflecting God’s moral authority.

Problems with determining morality by religion/divine command:

1. Defending a justified belief in God

2. Defending that God gives moral advice

3. Defending that a particular holy book is God’s advice

4. Defending the interpretation of the wisdom source

Euthyphro Dilemma

The question of whether God commands actions because they are right, or if actions are right because God commands them.

Divine Perfection Argument

An argument against DCT stating that a morally perfect God could not command morally imperfect actions.

Divine Command Theory

The belief that actions are right because God commands them and wrong because God forbids them.

Moral Permissibility

The state of being morally allowable, such as eating meat if prepared properly according to divine command.

Objective Right and Wrong (against DCT)

The belief that moral truths exist independently of God's commands.

Arbitrariness in Divine Commands (against DCT)

The belief that God's commands could be arbitrary, leading to moral actions that could include torturing humans for fun if commanded by God.

Socrates

An ancient philosopher who engaged in dialogues questioning the nature of morality and divinity.

Rationality

The quality of being logical and based on reason, often associated with the nature of God and moral responsibilities.

Monotheism

The belief that only one God exists.

Deism

The belief that God created the universe but does not intervene in it.

Moral Objectivism

The belief in universal moral principles that apply to all people at all times.

Scripture

Sacred writings that guide the moral beliefs and practices of a religion.

Normative Theory

A theory that prescribes how things ought to be, particularly in terms of morality.

Human nature as animal nature

Humans are animals by nature; behavior is influenced by animal instincts, such as self-defense and survival.

Innate traits

Characteristics humans possess from birth, distinct from those learned socially.

Issues with innate traits

The moral implications depend on the nature of traits; if selfishness is innate, selfish actions may seem justified.

Commonality in human nature

The assertion that certain traits or behaviors are shared by all humans, but counter-examples can challenge this claim.

Objective morality and natural law theory

The idea that morality is grounded in human nature, providing an external standard for moral actions.

Moral agency

The capability of humans to make moral decisions and be held responsible for their actions.

Natural law and religion

The belief that natural law, or human nature, is divinely given, as argued by theorists like Aquinas and Lewis.

Efficiency Model

A view of natural law suggesting that humans' natural purposes are those they perform most efficiently.

Fitness Model of Natural Law Theory

A perspective stating that natural purposes enhance survival and reproduction, although it can justify immoral acts.

Argument from Humanity

A pro-life argument asserting that it is wrong to intentionally kill innocent human beings, including fetuses.

Natural Law Theory

A category of normative theories that posits actions are right insofar as they are natural and wrong insofar as they are unnatural.

Objective Morality

The belief that there are moral standards that are universally applicable to all individuals, independent of personal beliefs.

Hume's Argument on Moral Knowledge

A philosophical argument suggesting that moral claims cannot be known because they are neither conceptual truths (like mathematical truths) nor empirical truths (observable facts).

Conceptual Truths

Knowledge that can be known without observation, based on the meanings and relationships of concepts (e.g., "triangles have three sides").

Empirical Truths

Knowledge that requires observation of the world to determine, such as counting objects or witnessing events.

Example of Natural Action

An action that allows a bodily function to perform its purpose effectively; for instance, wearing glasses to help sight.

Example of Unnatural Action

An action that hinders a bodily function's purpose; for instance, causing injury to the eye.

Catholic Church's Stance on Capital Punishment

Opposition to the death penalty, citing that it interferes with the fundamental human purpose of survival.

Natural Law Theory

A category of normative theories that states actions are right insofar as they are natural and wrong insofar as they are unnatural.

Conceptual truths

Truths that can be known without observation, such as definitions or mathematical facts.

Empirical truths

Truths that can only be known through observation and experience.

Moral knowledge

The idea that one can know what is morally right or wrong.

Purpose or function of a thing

The specific role something is designed to fulfill, which helps determine its moral status according to Natural Law Theory.

Catholic Church

A prominent purveyor of Natural Law Theory, especially related to moral issues such as capital punishment and sexual ethics.

Moral nihilism

The philosophical belief that moral values are baseless and that nothing is inherently moral or immoral.