2. Divine command theory is a meta-ethical theory which
proposes that an action's status as morally good is
equivalent to whether it is commanded by God.
claims that whatever God commands is what is morally
good.
DIVINE COMMAND THEORY
an action is morally obligatory if God commands it is right. An action is
morally wrong if God commands it is wrong. Lastly, an action is only
optional if God doesn't command it or forbid it.
3. Different Roles that God play in Morality
METAPHYSICAL ROLE: The objectivity of morality can only be grounded in
God's commands or nature.
EPISTEMOLOGICAL ROLE : It is God who provides us the way, whether
directly or otherwise , to know what is right and what is wrong.
MOTIVATIONAL ROLE : The proportionate incentive to be moral can only be
given by God.
4. THE PROBLEMS IN DIVINE
COMMAND THEORY
THE PROBLEM OF ARBITRARINESS
THE PROBLEM OF ARBITRARINESS
THE PROBLEM OF EMPTINESS
THE PROBLEM OF EMPTINESS
THE PROBLEM OF MORAL ABHORRENCE
THE PROBLEM OF MORAL ABHORRENCE
THE PROBLEM OF DIVINE INCOMPREHENSIBILITY
THE PROBLEM OF DIVINE INCOMPREHENSIBILITY
THE PROBLEM OF DIVINE HERMENEUTICS
THE PROBLEM OF DIVINE HERMENEUTICS
5. DIVINE COMMAND THEORY,GROUNDS THEIR MORAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE TEACHINGS OF A
FACTUALLY-EXISTING GOD
RULES ARE UNIVERSAL AND ARE RIGHT FOR ALL TIMES AND PLACES- AVOIDS THE
PROBLEM OF TRYING TO SORT OUT DIFFERENT MORAL IDEAS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
SYSTEM IS CLEAR AND STRAIGHTFORWARD
THERE IS AN END GOAL - MOST CHRISTIAN'S LINK GOD'S MORAL COMMANDS WITH THE
PROMISE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH
STRENGTHS
STRENGTHS
6. EVEN IF MORAL COMMANDS IN THE BIBLE COME FROM GOD, WE CANNOT TELL
WHETHER THEY ARE AS GOD GAVE THEM- NO ORIGINAL VERSION OF ANY OLD
TESTAMENT BOOK.
BIBLE CONTAINS WHAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD CONSIDER TO BE IMMORAL
COMMANDS; SUCH AS VIEWS TOWARDS SLAVERY AND HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
DIVINE COMMAND THEORY DOES NOT REALLY OFFER A FREE CHOICE PROMISE
OF HEAVEN AND THREAT OF HELL MEANS PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE TO FOLLOW
GOD'S COMMANDS OUT OF SELF-INTEREST,MORALITY SHOULD BE BASED ON
REASON, NOT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
WEAKNESSES
WEAKNESSES
