Divine Command Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #33

Summary

This script from Crash Course Philosophy delves into Divine Command Theory, the belief that morality is dictated by God. It explores the theory's simplicity and its role as a moral foundation, contrasting it with the complexities and questions it raises, such as the Euthyphro Problem posed by Plato. This philosophical dilemma challenges the notion that God's commands define morality, suggesting instead that perhaps morality exists independently of God's will. The script also touches on the practical issues of discerning which divine commands are binding, hinting at the theory's limitations.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Bible is often seen as a source of moral guidance, with specific rules outlined in books like Deuteronomy and the First Epistle to Timothy.
• 🙏 Divine Command Theory is the belief that morality is dictated by a divine power, such as the Judeo-Christian God, and is a foundational ethical theory for many.
• 🤔 The theory's simplicity is appealing; it suggests that moral actions are those commanded by God, providing a clear source for moral guidance.
• 📚 However, the Divine Command Theory faces challenges, such as the Euthyphro Problem, which questions whether actions are right because God commands them or if God commands them because they are inherently right.
• 🧐 Socrates, through the Euthyphro dialogue, challenges the Divine Command Theory by suggesting that if morality is based solely on God's commands, it could be arbitrary and subject to change.
• 🚫 The theory also raises questions about the binding nature of certain biblical rules, as not all are followed by all religious groups, leading to inconsistencies in moral application.
• 🤨 If one accepts that God's commands define morality, it implies that God's will is the sole determinant of what is good, which could be at odds with the concept of inherent goodness.
• 🔄 The alternative horn of the Euthyphro dilemma suggests that there is a standard of goodness independent of God, which could imply that God is not the sole source of morality.
• 📖 The script discusses the implications of a hypothetical scenario where God changes His moral commands, challenging the believer to reconcile their faith with a new moral framework.
• 📚 The episode concludes by suggesting that other moral theories, which may not be as susceptible to the issues presented by the Euthyphro Problem, will be explored in future discussions.

Q & A

What is the Divine Command Theory?

The Divine Command Theory is the belief that what is moral and what is immoral is commanded by the divine, such as a deity or deities. It suggests that morality originates from a divine source, and adherents believe that for morality to be binding, it must come from God.

How does the Divine Command Theory address the grounding problem in ethics?

The Divine Command Theory provides a simple solution to the grounding problem by positing that God is the foundation of all moral rules. It asserts that God's commands are the basis for determining right and wrong, thus offering a clear and absolute ethical foundation.

What is the Euthyphro Problem presented by Socrates in Plato's dialogue?

The Euthyphro Problem is a philosophical dilemma that questions whether actions are right because God commands them, or if God commands them because they are inherently right. This problem challenges the Divine Command Theory by suggesting that morality might be arbitrary or that God is not the sole source of moral value.

What are the two horns of the Euthyphro Dilemma?

The two horns of the Euthyphro Dilemma are: 1) Right actions are right because God commands them, implying that God's commands alone make something right and suggesting that morality is arbitrary; 2) Right actions are commanded by God because they are right, implying that there is a standard of goodness independent of God, which challenges the notion of divine omnipotence.

How does the Divine Command Theory handle the issue of varying interpretations of religious texts?

The Divine Command Theory does not directly address the issue of varying interpretations of religious texts. It leaves open the question of which commands are binding and which have been retracted, leading to different interpretations and practices among different religious groups.

What is the significance of the Bible verses mentioned in the script regarding moral rules?

The Bible verses mentioned in the script, such as those from Deuteronomy and First Timothy, illustrate the specificity and sometimes the obscurity of moral rules within religious texts. They raise questions about which rules are still considered binding and why some are followed while others are not.

Why does the Euthyphro Problem challenge the Divine Command Theory?

The Euthyphro Problem challenges the Divine Command Theory by forcing a choice between two unsatisfactory options: either God's commands are arbitrary, or there is a moral standard independent of God. This dilemma suggests that the theory may not provide a coherent account of morality.

How does the script use the concept of an 'angry bull by the horns' to explain a dilemma?

The script uses the metaphor of holding an angry bull by the horns to describe a dilemma, where both options (the horns) lead to unpleasant results. This vividly illustrates the difficult choices faced when grappling with the Euthyphro Problem within the Divine Command Theory.

What is the Flash Philosophy scenario presented in the script, and what does it illustrate?

The Flash Philosophy scenario involves a hypothetical situation where God appears and reverses the Ten Commandments, commanding actions that are traditionally considered immoral. This scenario illustrates the potential arbitrariness of morality if it is solely based on divine commands, as it forces individuals to confront the implications of a morality that could change at God's whim.

What alternative moral theories might be explored in future episodes, as hinted at the end of the script?

The script suggests that future episodes will explore other moral theories that approach morality from a theistic perspective but are immune to some of the problems faced by the Divine Command Theory, such as theories that do not rely solely on divine commands for moral grounding.