Euthyphro and Divine Command Theory: Study Notes

Class Schedule and Reading

• No class meeting for next Thursday.

• Begin reading "Apology" on Canvas for Tuesday's class.

Divine Command Theory (DCT) and Euthyphro

• The discussion revolves around Divine Command Theory and the philosophical dialogue in Plato's Euthyphro.

Review of Euthyphro's Third Attempt and Socrates' Response

• Euthyphro's 3rd definition of piety: Piety is what all the gods love, and impiety is what all the gods hate.

• Socrates' Response (The Euthyphro Dilemma): Socrates poses a critical question to Euthyphro:

• $[a]$ Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious?

• OR $[b]$ Is it pious because it is loved by the gods?

• Divine Command Theory (DCT): This theory states that morality is determined by God's will.

• Socratic Question (applied to DCT): Socrates' dilemma translates directly to DCT:

• $[a]$ Is conduct commanded by God because it is right?

• OR $[b]$ Is it right because it is commanded by God?

• Key takeaway: Understanding the difference between these two options is crucial, as each has significant implications for the nature of morality and God's role in it.

• ## Umpires and Strikes Analogy

  • To illustrate the dilemma, consider an umpire calling strikes in baseball:

  • Option $[a]$: Does the umpire call it a strike because it is already a strike? If so, the definition of a strike is independent of the umpire's call.

  • Option $[b]$: Is it a strike because the umpire calls it a strike? This option makes the definition of a strike arbitrary and renders the concept of a