Ethical Thought (1)

Question 1

What is the background to divine command theory?

Answer 1

Divine command theory (theological voluntarism) is a religious ethic that believes that an action status is morally good or bad is completely commanded by God.
It is a matter ethical theory meaning that it will attempt to tell us the nature of morality

Question 2

How is God the
regulator of morality?

Answer 2

Divine Command Theorists believe that what
is moral is determined by what God
commands. Therefore morality is completely
dependent upon the commands of God. All
versions of the theory hold in common claim
that morality, and thus human moral
obligations, ultimately depend on God .
Those who accept Divine Command ethics
look to sacred texts to ascertain God’s
commands. E.g Ten Commandments in
Exodus 20

Question 3

Quotes for God as the regulator of morality

Answer 3

“The standard of right and wrong
is the will…of God”
-William
Frankena
“They (Religious Laws) come
down direct from heaven, and are
eternally valid”
-Rev John
Robinson

Question 4

How is right and wrong
based on Objective truth? (divine command theory)

Answer 4

RIGHT AND WRONG ARE OBJECTIVE
TRUTHS MEANING THAT MORALITY (RIGHT
AND WRONG) ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY
HUMANITIES PERSONAL FEELINGS,
OPINIONS OR REASONING’S ABOUT WHAT
IS RIGHT AND WRONG, GOD ALONE WILL
DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG AND
HUMAN FEELINGS ETC ON MORALITY HAS
NO AUTHORITY, GOD HAS TOTAL
AUTHORITY

Question 5

“For right and wrong as objective truth based on God divine command theory

Answer 5

“WITH HIM (GOD) A THING
BECOMES RIGHT SOLELY BECAUSE
HE WANTS IT SO” WILLIAM
OCKHAM

Question 6

How and why is objective truth based on
God’s command?

Answer 6

By basing moral truths on God command DCT provides an absolute framework for ethics. This counters the idea that morality is subjective of varies between cultures.
If morality is derive from God then ethical living align humans with their divine purpose. This can be seen in Kristian text where obedience to God command lead to spiritual fulfilment and eternal life.

As God is an omnipotent being it provides a source beyond human reasoning or experience.

Question 7

How is Moral
Goodness
achieved
through
complying
with divine
command?

Answer 7

If a person wishes to be moral the only way to do this is to follow God’s
Commands i.e. moral obligation consists purely in being obedient to
God’s Commands.
The Quran is full of teachings that consist of God asserting His moral law
e.g. (in terms of adultery) “And go not high in to fornication; surely it is an
indecency and an evil way” you cannot be morally good if you commit
adultery.
Some followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam believe not following
God’s Commands can lead to a moral agent facing God’s wrath. e.g Adam
and eve expelled from Garden of eden

Question 8

Why is Divine Command
theory a requirement for
God’s omnipotence?

Answer 8

The DVC is a natural consequence of
God’s omnipotence. An omnipotent God by definition
must have a complete power over everything, including
morality. If God did not control morality,
‘something else’
must control what is right and wrong. This would make
the ‘something else’ more powerful than God destroying
his omnipotence. In order for God to be omnipotent he
has to control morality. If religious believers accept God
as Omnipotent they must also accept principles of Divine
Command theory; God is the creator of morality.

Question 9

How is Moral
Goodness
achieved
through
complying
with divine
command? Quote

Answer 9

THE LORD YOUR
GOD WILL BE
MERCIFUL IF YOU
LISTEN AND KEEP
TO ALL HIS
COMMANDS” OLD
TESTAMENT BOOK
OF DEUTERONOMY

Question 10

Why is the Divine command
as an objective meta-
physical foundation for
morality?

Answer 10

META-PHYSICS REFERS TO WHAT IS BEYOND THE PHYSICAL WORLD, CONCERNING THE FUNDAMENTAL
NATURE OF REALITY. IN DCT, GOD IS THE METAPHYSICAL FOUNDATION FOR MORALITY BECAUSE:
GOD’S NATURE IS INHERENTLY GOOD AND PERFECT.
GOD’S COMMANDS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF HIS NATURE, MEANING MORAL TRUTHS ARE ETERNAL AND
ABSOLUTE, REFLECTING GOD’S PERFECT CHARACTER.
FOR EXAMPLE, MORAL LAWS SUCH AS “DO NOT MURDER” OR “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR” ARE CONSIDERED
REFLECTIONS OF GOD’S WILL, GROUNDED IN HIS UNCHANGING NATURE.
IF GOD IS THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, HUMANS OWE THEIR EXISTENCE TO
HIM AND ARE THEREFORE MORALLY OBLIGATED TO FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS.
THIS SENSE OF OBLIGATION IS ROOTED IN GOD’S AUTHORITY AS A METAPHYSICAL
AND MORAL LAWGIVER.

Question 11

What is Robert Adam’s Modified Divine
Command Theory and why is it based on God’s
omnibenevolence?

Answer 11

Adam argues through the Euthyphro Dilemma that
because morality is grounded in the character of
God, who is perfectly good, then God’s Commands
are rooted in God’s character, Since God is
omnibenevolent, then whatever God commands will
inevitably reflect this, God’s character.
For example, If God commanded that murder was good,
then Divine command theory would have to concede that
this was moral truth, even though human logic would
concede that murder is wrong. Therefore Divine
command theory allows God to command cruelty. Adam
concedes that it is logically possible for God to command
crultey as it he is omnipotent but it would be unthinkable
as God is benevolent.
“Any action is ethically wrong if and
only if it is contrary to the commands of a loving Go

Question 12

Adams quote for his modified divine command theory

Answer 12

“Any action is ethically
wrong if and only if it is
contrary to the
commands of a loving
God”

God’s commands are not random or authoritarian but are instead rooted in God’s loving nature, ensuring they align with human flourishing and well-being.

Question 13

Describe the Euthyphro Dilemma criticism of the divine command theory

Answer 13

PROPOSED BY ANCIENT
GREEK PHILOSOPHER PLATO
If God commands that murder
was moral the Divine Theory would concede
that it it was a moral truth. Divine Command
theory allows God to Command suffering

Question 14

Describe The Arbitrariness Problem criticism of divine command theory

Answer 14

The Arbitrariness Problem argues that if moral actions are right solely because God commands them, then morality becomes arbitrary—it depends entirely on God’s will. This raises the concern that God could theoretically command actions we intuitively see as immoral (e.g., cruelty), and they would still be deemed “right” under Divine Command Theory.

Question 15

What type of ethical system is
the virtue theory?

Answer 15

Virtue theory is a very different type of ethic which
instead of concentrating on a person’s actions it
concentrates on a persons character (Ethos in
Greek). More specifically it concentrates on
developing a persons virtues and reducing their
vices.
It shifts away from identifying ethical theory as
being found in rules or principles to the quality,
correct manner or disposition (hexisis) of a human
being

Question 16

Virtue theory Why is there a focus on the
person’s character rather then
their actions?

Answer 16

Virtue Theory works on the assumption that if a moral agent’s
character (ethos) could be moulded with virtues then this person
would automatically do good actions because of their good
character.

. By focusing on the person’s character rather
than individual actions, virtue ethics promotes the idea that ethical
behaviour arises naturally from a virtuous disposition, which is
cultivated through practice, reflection, and the development of
moral habits.

Question 17

Virtue theory What are Aristotle’s Moral issues,
What are they based on?

Answer 17

Aristotle reasons out a set of virtues
that helped a moral agent to be
successful member of community,
which would bring eudaimonia
(happiness).

Aristotle shows us what good moral
virtues are and how to achieve them
in the Doctrine of the mean.

keep away from either the excess
or deficiency of the virtue so that we
can achieve the mean or mid point

He also believed that underpinning
all the moral virtues is phronesis
(practical wisdom) It helps people to
decide what the midway point
course of action is in any practical
moral situation. He believed that the
midpoint is not fixed. So you need
phronesis to decide which is
developed with age and autonomy

He also argued that we need to
develop a second set of virtues
called the intellectual virtues which
are associated with our minds and
are intended to improve the quality
of our minds.

Question 18

Quote fro aristotles virtue theory

Answer 18

“the virtuous person has
practical wisdom, the
ability to know when and
how best to apply the
virtues”

Question 18

What are Jesus’ teachings about
Virtues? (the beatitudes)

Answer 18

Sermon of the mount
Jesus’ longest preach, recorded in the Bible and it is dominated by moral teachings, the
virtuous part is called the beatitudes

“blessed are those with mercy”
“Blessed are the peacemakers”
“Blessed are the Meek”

Question 19

Why are virtues not a
practical guide to moral
behaviour ? +quote

Answer 19

It can be argued that an ethical theory
should enable moral agents to clearly know
what is right and wrong like divine command
theory which gives clear rules.
virtue theory gives no specific guidance about moral
actions, so we have no specific guidelines to
follow

“Virtues without principles are blind” William
Frankena” +quote

Question 20

What are the issues of cultural
relativism and virtue theory

Answer 20

Key virtues differ from culture to culture (culture relativism) Virtue
theory can be considered in effective as they are not universal.

Question 21

How can virtues be used for
immoral acts

Answer 21

It could be argued that morality based on virtues could lead to
evil/bad actions. For example criminals can use virtues to
become powerful, bank robber needs courage to rob a bank.
The virtue theory has unconditional trust that allows for no
overall control or individual quality control it is too
individualistic

Question 22

How does Ethical Egoism focus on self interest as
opposed to altruism?

Answer 22

Ethical Egoism is a normative ethic (guide to morals), It states that moral agents, when
faced with a moral dilemma ought to do what is in their own self interest.
Altruism holds that moral agents have an obligation to help others. A moral agent
should always try to positively impact other individuals, regardless of outcome for the
moral agent
However Ethical Egoists would consider altruistic actions as ultimately egoistic in
nature. Because whether we are aware of it or not, when we carry out altruistic actions
we are doing some form of self gain

Question 23

EE How does this ethical theory match the
moral agents psychological state?

Answer 23

Psychological Egoism is the view that humans are always
motivated by self interest. Therefore, Ethical Egoism is
the ideal normative ethic to follow because it supports
our natural psychological state.
The difference between Psychological Egoism and
Ethical egoism is that psychological egoism is a theory of
human nature and argues egoism is out natural state
where as ethical egoism us a theory that states moral
agents should act upon egoistic nature.

Question 24

EE Why is there a concentration on long term self interests rather than short term

Answer 24

Ethical Egoism does not necessarily always entail the moral agent pursuing short term self interests. This is because the ethical egoist needs to also consider long term self e.g missing classes because you enjoy relaxing but failing a levels and having a poor paying job. “Ethical Egoism endorses selfishness but it does not endorse foolishness” James Rachels.

Question 25

Why are virtues not a practical guide to moral behaviour

Answer 25

Virtues often require sacrifice: Many traditional virtues (like selflessness, altruism, and generosity) may not align with what is in a person’s self-interest, according to ethical egoism. Ethical egoism emphasizes that individuals should prioritize their own needs, desires, and long-term happiness. However, virtues that require self-sacrifice might work against the principle of self-interest, making them impractical from an egoistic perspective too general, subjective, and context-dependent to serve as a practical guide in many real-world moral situations. It lacks clear, specific action-guidance for complex moral dilemmas, and it doesn't prioritize consequences or provide ways to resolve conflicts between virtues..

Question 26

Who is Max Striner, Why is he linked with egoism

Answer 26

(1806-1856) was a German Philosopher who develops ethical egoism, in his book The ego and its own. He believes taht self interest should be the root cause of an individual’s every moral descion “I am everything to myself and I do everything on my account He claims all individuals are unique (their own Ego) and claims that the reason we should only act in self intrest is because any attempt to statiisfy the needs of others would be denying our own uniquness. German word einzige- only one, (true self) To develop our own ego wemust recognise our enslavement to moral obligations and duities imposed by others. “The religious way of thinking has biased our minds so grievesoly that we are terrified of ourselves”

Question 27

Why is self interest the root cause of every human action even if it appear altruistic

Answer 27

Survival Instinct: Psychological egoists argue that self-interest is rooted in the biological instinct for self-preservation. Every action we take, even if it seems to help others, ultimately serves to sustain or improve our own well-being, either directly or indirectly. Pleasure as Motivation: According to psychological egoism, every action we take is motivated by the desire for pleasure or the avoidance of pain. Even acts that seem selfless are often driven by a desire for personal satisfaction, happiness, or fulfilment. Moral Egoism: Some proponents of psychological egoism argue that people do good deeds because it makes them feel morally superior. The feeling of acting according to one's moral values can provide emotional gratification, thus making self-interest the true motivation behind so-called altruistic acts

Question 28

Why is there a rejection of egoism for material gain

Answer 28

Stirner rejects that egoism is for material gain, although it can be a part of one’s personal ego, it is just one part of the ego and to spend one’s life solely pursuing material ego is to deny other parts of their ego. Stirner called the pursuit of material gain one sided, narrow egoism. Stirner argued that excessive concentration on material greed would just enslave the moral agent (sacrifice our free will) in the same way following moral ethic would. Moral agent would be enslaved to capitalism

Question 29

What is the union of egoists?

Answer 29

The union of egoists is Stiner's alternative way of organising modern society but on egoistic principles People would unite in unions based on three principles Free agreement (members cannot be forced to join any union) Equality of all members (no one can tell another member what to think/believe) Mutual self interest of those involved (union exists to help maximise individuals ability to achieve their own goals/. Unions would exist to ensure they maximise an individual’s own ego as well as ensuring those involved are not sacrificing anything. Example: marriage