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Stengths and weaknesses of divine command theory
Stengths and weaknesses of divine command theory
Religion and morality
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Introduction Augustine's "City of God" and "The Enchiridion" and Plato's "Euthyphro" are all significant works that explore the nature of morality and the relationship between morality and religion. While there are many similarities between these works, there are also important differences in their approaches and conclusions. Body
In order to examine the problems this claim is followed by, first we must assess exactly what the statement means. The specific problems that arise from claiming it to be true and different depending on whether you say it because you believe that God commanding the actions make them good, or whether God would only command actions which are good absent from his will. These two different option form the basis for Plato’s Euthyphro Dilemma in which Socrates asks Euthyphro that very question: ‘Is what is holy holy because the gods approve of it, or do they approve it because it is holy?’ , with the former being known as the Divine Command Theory.
The Euthyphro challenges traditional conceptions of morality and explores the nature of morality. Furthermore, it emphasises critical thinking and makes ongoing contributions to modern-day ethical debates. As a result, it serves as a guide for how to critically analyse new information. This essay will examine the significance of the Euthyphro and attempt to analyse its point. Firstly, the text challenges traditional conceptions of morality.
What is the most plausible view for a theist to take concerning the relations between God’s love and what is good, and between God’s commands and what is required? Theists wishing to defend theories of morality established in a theistic framework must respond to a plethora of objections. The problems regarding the relation between God and morality have been brought to light by a famous argument known as the Euthyphro Dilemma, named after a dialogue written by Plato. The version currently used against mono-theistic religions is a revision of the argument that originated in a poly-theistic religious context. The original argument was posed as a rhetorical question; "Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it
This is so because it becomes difficult to know whether moral goodness is independent of the will of God or if it is as a result of His will. The Euthyphro dilemma offers two intensely differing sides. On one side of the argument, theorists are of the opinion that morality is whatever God wills. This position then brings into question the goodness of God’s will if His command vindicates what is wrong. Arguing that goodness is the determined by God shows that what is rights is so because God wills it to be right.
Rachel Kim PHIL 100 Professor Thibodeau November 10, 2016 The Euthyphro Dilemma The Euthyphro Dilemma is the questioning of the relation between God and righteous actions. Option A is that the pious is loved by the gods because it is pious. Option B is that the pious is pious because it is loved by the gods.
For thousands of people, what is holy and what is moral comes from religious texts that act as a guide for individuals for how they ought to live their lives. This idea of holiness and morality for many is deeply rooted in the understanding that it originates with God; it is a necessary condition for it to be binding. However, what if what is holy and moral didn’t originate from God’s goodness, rather it comes from other mediums and is itself good thus being approved by God? This idea of existence and thought is a question that can be outlined in Plato’s, The Euthyphro.
In this essay I will argue against the previously mentioned statement using the following arguments: The inconsistency between theists, the dependence of morality on religion and finally, Euthyphro’s dilemma. One problem with the Divine Command Theory is that it assumes that all its followers agree on what
So, which of the religions should be take it as base to considers actions to be morally good or wrong. Therefore, the Divine Command Theory of Morality can have advantages, for example if you obey God’s commands you will be rewarded but if you disobey you will be punished, but it also have disadvantages starting from Euthyphro’s dilemma leading this theory
Thesis Statement: Origin of Morality Outline A.Universal Ethics 1.Karl Barth, The Command of God 2.Thomas Aquinas, The Natural Law 3.Thomas Hobbes, Natural Law and Natural Right 4.Immanuel Kant, The Categorical Imperative B.Morality and Practical Reason 1.Practical Reason a.Practical Reason and Practical Reasons C.Evolution of Morality 1.What makes Moral Creatures Moral 2.Explaining the Nature of Moral Judgments F. Answering Questions 1. What is the origin of Morality: Religion or Philosophy? 2. What does religion say about morality?
The last theory is Aristotle’s virtue ethics which states that we should move from the concern towards good action and to focus on the concern with good character. This paper argues that Aristotle’s virtue ethics is better than the other ethical theories. The divine command theory says that what is morally right and what is morally wrong is determined by God and God alone. People who follow the divine command theory believe that God is the creator of all things, therefore, he must also be the creator of morally right and wrong acts.
The divine command theory means that what is morally right is judged and decided by the gods. Socrates questions Euthyphro’s belief in pleasing the gods to be “pious” by stating, “They have differences of opinion, as you say, about good and evil, just and unjust, honourable and dishonourable: there would have been no quarrels among them, if there had been no such differences – would there now?” (119). Even though Euthyphro answers that “pious” must mean that it is pleasing to all gods, it is obvious that actions will mean different things to different gods. The gods then are different from the God now, and without a constant definition of “God”, Euthyphro’s definition of “piety” would not be the same in different cultures and not be a universal answer that applies to all.
The divine command theory remains one of the most common theories used to explain the link between ethics, morality and religion. Divine command theory remains a highly controversial issue and has been criticised by a number of philosophers namely Kai Nielsen, Plato, Socrates and J.L Mackie as well as receiving support from philosophers such as Philip Quinn and Thomas Aquinas (Wierenga, 2009). The arguments for and against this theory has practical and theoretical significance, both philosophers of religion and moral philosophers have interest in exploring the role of religion in moral thought. (Wierenga, 2009)
The moral absolutism taught in the Bible helps people make the right decisions throughout life and helps to keep them from the pain of moral failings. A 2013 study indicates, “Individuals are more likely to engage in immoral behaviors when exposed to moral relativism compared to moral absolutism (Rai & Holyoak, 2013, p. 995). Instead of restraining Christians from doing what will make them happy, God’s word frees them to live fuller lives without fear of entanglement in immorality. This concept is often difficult for the world to see, but a well-educated mind can experience the freedom that God desires for them by striving to know Him
Ethics and Religion The human views on ethics are greatly influenced by certain beliefs, such as religion or philosophical ideas. Philosophy and religion are similar in this sense; they both are morally influential. However, if a person did not have such views, he/she is still capable of having good morals. Though religion is very impacting in many people’s ethical standings, and a majority of human morality is derived from some belief in religion or supported by philosophical reasoning, it is not the only way a person can be moral.
