Divine Command theory Flashcards
What is Divine Command Theory?
Divine Command Theory (DCT)
Divine Command Theory is a meta-ethical view stating that morality is determined by God’s will. Acts are right because God commands them and wrong because they are forbidden by God. Morality is objective, not relative, and applies universally, regardless of culture or time. DCT is deontological, meaning moral agents must follow God’s commands as a duty. The theory assumes God is omnibenevolent, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, making Him the source of moral standards. Moral behavior stems from understanding God’s will, and there is no higher authority than God in defining what is good or bad.
Robert Adams modified DCT
Robert Adams’ Modified Divine Command Theory
Robert Adams modifies Divine Command Theory by asserting that morality is not just based on God’s commands but rooted in His unchanging, omnibenevolent nature. Stealing is wrong because it goes against God’s inherently good nature, not merely because He commands it. Morality reflects God’s nature, and any act contrary to goodness would violate His essence. While it’s not logically impossible for God to command cruelty, it is unthinkable because of His benevolent nature. Thus, morality is intrinsic to God and always aligns with His character.
Challenges - Euthyphro Dilemma
The Euthyphro Dilemma, from Plato’s work, challenges Divine Command Theory (DCT) by asking whether something is holy because the Gods approve of it or if the Gods approve of it because it is holy. If it’s the former, then the Gods aren’t the ultimate moral authority, as holiness would exist independently. If it’s the latter, then the Gods could arbitrarily declare anything good, even something immoral like lying. Adams’ modified DCT resolves this by claiming that God’s commands are aligned with His intrinsic goodness, so He cannot command something morally arbitrary. Additionally, the pluralism objection arises: with many conflicting ethical systems citing divine authority, it becomes difficult to determine which system is correct or how laws should be interpreted (e.g., contradictions in Christian teachings on divorce).
Key quotes?
Augustine : “there are some whose killing God’s orders either by law or by an express command to a particular person at a particular time.
Exodus 19:5 “if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the people.”
McIntyre : “If I am liable to be sent to hell for not doing what God commands, I am thereby provided with a corrupting motive for serving the good.”
