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Divine Command Theory Essay

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The Divine Command Theory (DCT) explains which actions are moral based on whether or not God commands it. The theory is difficult to support due to its flaws, arbitration, and even due to the essence of God. While Divine Command Theorists may completely support this theory, I will argue why the theory is impractical and cannot dictate what is morally right or wrong. In understanding if this theory holds ground we must question what God commands. Instead of uncritically accepting a theory we must put it to question and eliminate any flaws. By using Euthyphro’s Dilemma as an argument against the authority of the Divine Command Theory we can begin to question whether or not it is an acceptable account for morality. Euthyphro’s dilemma questions …show more content…

Even despite his creation of the world if we are to agree and follow God’s guidance without question this theory shows us that we are actually instead only undermining God’s goodness. Another major issue with the Divine Command Theory is the non–moral commandments listed in the Bible. If we were to strictly abide by the theory we would have to follow every command God makes as if it were moral code. Certain commands God makes are still applicable in every day life, the 10 commandments and even others can easily be followed by a dedicated individual. However it is when non-moral commands come to play where the DCT begins to lose its meaning. As times change and practices differ, non-moral commandments no longer have an effect and are not even practiced. An example of this can be found in the book of Leviticus “neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee” (Leviticus 19:19 KJV). The commandment states we are not allowed to wear a mix of fabrics, a claim that holds no standing today. This claim seems to have no direct sin, is not harming or disrespecting anyone or even ourselves. There seems to be no reason to follow it and it can be ignored as an irrelevant command in the bible. It is ridiculous to follow a claim as irrelevant as not wearing two fabrics at

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