6-7. Divine Command Theory

1. Overview of Deontological Ethics

Core idea:
Rightness of an action depends on duty, intention, and moral law, not on its outcome.

• Teleological ethics (consequentialist): focuses on results (e.g., Utilitarianism).

• Deontological ethics: focuses on principles/duties.

• Virtue ethics: focuses on character.

• Ethics of care: focuses on relationships and empathy.

2. Kant’s Moral Philosophy

A. Source of Morality

• Morality is derived from reason, not religion or external authority.

• Humans have practical reason that allows them to recognize moral laws internally.

• Morality arises from autonomy — acting freely according to reasoned duty.

B. Two Kinds of Imperatives

1. Hypothetical Imperative (conditional):

   • “If you want X, do Y.”

   • Example: “If you want good grades, study hard.”

   • Depends on goals; not truly moral.

2. Categorical Imperative (absolute):

   • Act because it is right in itself, not for a reward or outcome.

   • Example: “Tell the truth because truth itself is good.”

3. Categorical Imperative – Three Main Principles

1. Principle of Autonomy

   • Moral laws come from one’s rational will, not external commands.

   • “I don’t cheat because honesty is good in itself.”

2. Principle of Universal Law (Law of Nature)

   • Act only on rules you’d want everyone to follow.

   • If lying were universal, truth would become meaningless.

3. Principle of Humanity as an End

   • Treat every person as an end, not merely a means.

   • Respect human dignity; never exploit others for personal gain.

   • “Selling yourself like an object violates human nature.”

4. Duty and Moral Worth

• A moral act = done from duty, not fear or reward.

• Example:

  • Not stealing because “it’s wrong” = moral.

  • Not stealing because “I might get caught” = not moral.

• This inner commitment to good is called duty (Pflicht).

5. Strengths of Deontological Ethics

• Provides rational, objective, and universal moral foundation.

• Promotes individual autonomy and human dignity.

• Encourages moral integrity even against self-interest.

Weaknesses / Critiques:

• Too rigid; doesn’t consider context or consequences.

• Moral duties may conflict (e.g., truth-telling vs. saving a life).

• Can seem impractical in real-life moral dilemmas.

6. Divine Command Theory (DCT)

Definition: Morality is based on the commands of God — what is right is what God wills.

Key ideas:

• God = the ultimate moral lawgiver.

• Human moral duties = God’s commands; disobedience = moral wrong.

• Found in classical theism (Craig, Moreland).

Euthyphro Dilemma:

• Are things good because God commands them, or does God command them because they are good?

  • If the first → morality becomes arbitrary.

  • If the second → morality exists independently of God.
    → DCT struggles with this paradox, but many argue that God’s very nature is the Good, so His commands are neither arbitrary nor external.

7. Axiological Argument (Moral Argument for God’s Existence)

Main question: Can we be good without God?

Craig & Moreland’s argument:

1. If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist.

2. Objective moral values and duties do exist.

3. Therefore, God exists.

Explanation:

• Objective moral truths (e.g., “Murder is wrong”) exist independently of human opinion.

• Without God, morality becomes subjective — a product of evolution, culture, or emotion.

• God’s nature = the Good itself; His commands express moral truth.

• Moral accountability (justice, reward, punishment) also requires a moral Lawgiver.

Atheistic Moral Realism (Critique):

• Claims moral truths exist without God, but lacks explanation of why they bind us.

• Leads to moral abstraction (“justice just exists”) with no grounding in reality.

8. Broader Axiology (Study of Value)

• Examines all forms of value: moral, aesthetic, practical.

• Distinguishes between:

  • Intrinsic values: good in themselves (truth, love).

  • Instrumental values: good as means to an end (money, health).

• Suggests universal human values (kindness, fairness) point to a transcendent source.

9. Comparison Summary

10. Key Takeaways

• Kant: Morality = reason, autonomy, and duty; actions have worth only when done from moral obligation.

• Divine Command: Morality = obedience to God; God’s nature defines good.

• Axiological View: Objective moral truths imply a divine source; without God, morality loses foundation.