Critiques Of Religion And Morality Flashcards
(22 cards)
It has often been claimed that there is a link between religion and morality. If we think of religion as the source of morals, then it seems difficult to live without religion. However if the link between religion and morality is criticised then then maybe good grounds for which two types of…
Secularism and atheism
Perhaps this means we don’t need God to be good
What scripture reference is the view that there is a link between religion and morality, that since actions are right or wrong simply because God commands or prohibits them
Divine command theory
Scripture is deontological, what does this mean
It gives us fixed and firm moral instruction
Kant believed that religion and morality are linked, why is this
God is the greatest good (summum bonum) without God supreme goodness would be an unrealised dream
What does Kant’s Kingdom of ends theory say/mean
We must not treat people as a means to an end, but an end in themselves
Which famous Russian author said “if God is dead everything is permitted”
Dostoevsky - questioned if society would break down without religion as there would no longer be a moral compass, if there was no church
Socrates developed the Euthyphro dilemma, what did this dilemma say?
“Does God command what is good because it is good, or is the good good because God has commanded it?”
The Bible can justify what is wrong in Deuteronomy 7, what does God command the Israelites to do
Murder thousands and “show no mercy” - The old Testament God is violent
Socrates answer to the Euthyphro dilemma was that “what is morally right is not necessarily always pious” what does this mean?
Doing the right thing is different from doing what the gods approve of
Therefore Socrates answer to the Euthyphro dilemma is that morality is something independent of the divine and therefore no way reliant upon…
God
Robert Adams gave a “modified divine command theory” which seeks to defeat Socrates’ argument what do he state
(When believers say “God is good” they mean “God is kind” therefore cruel actions would conflict with this assumption of God
“It is logically possible that God should command cruelty for its own sake… But it is thinkable that God should do so”
Dawkins describes gods teachings as “pretty unjust, unforgiving control freak”, give and example of a Bible which shows “obnoxious” teaching
The parable of Jephthah and Isaac
Dawkins also argues that the bible gives outdated moral advice which is era and culture dependant. He also argues that children are indoctrinated, why is this?
Because they are told what believe and forced to accept dubious religious moralities e.g. Colorado Hell House = institution which aims to scare children into fearing hell
Marks argue that if you follow religion you become “drugged” what does he mean by this?
That you can’t make up your own mind since you are always looking for guidance in religion
The German philosopher Nietzscet argues that religion dumbs people down why is this
Because they always have to ask/refer to the Bible which means they lose their autonomy
Dawkins second argument is that moral behaviour does not need to be based on religion because, being moral because of God and the promise of reward and fear of punishment, rather than being moral for morals sake is equivalent to……
“Sucking up” to God
Dawkins says “morality in the absence of policing is more truly moral”, why is this
Because this would mean people act morally for the right reasons/motives
Dawkins argues we can understand morality without God. This is due to evolutionary motives, why?
Because selfless activity and working with others happen because it helps organisms to survive. We are moral because it allows us to survive successfully
Critiques to Dawkins first argument is that he picks extreme examples such as Colorado Hell House, why is this critiqued
Because is not a real representative of religious morality as it does not take into consideration religious charity or teachings on peace
Another critique of Dawkins first argument (about the Bible being outdated) is that the believers have moles which have developed over time. Give an example of this
Pope Francis has reconsidered that some of the issues of the 21st-century need to now be addressed e.g.
The objections to Dawkins second argument (that religious morality is merely “sucking up” to God) are?
That believers are obedience to God because of love, loyalty and respect not just because they want to go to heaven
And religion can fill the gaps in science
Nietzsche argued that there are two fundamental types of morality: “master morality” and “slave morality” what did he mean by these terms?
Slave morality = kindness, humility and sympathy - weighs actions from good-evil - intentions of action
Master morality = Pride, strength and nobility - weighs actions from good-bad - consequences of action
