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Theories: Divine Command and Natural Law

            In my essay I will critically examine the two theories' that examine the relationship between morality and religion. The two theories are The Divine Command Theory and The Natural Law Theory. I will explain each theory and how each one examines the relationship between morality and religion and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both. Morality and religion is the association between religiosity and moral codes. Many religions have important structures determining between rights and wrongs and how things ought to be done and what god demanded man to do. .
             The Divine Command Theory is a meta-ethical theory which suggests that an actions rank as morally good is equal to weather it's instructed by God. The simple idea of this philosophy is that God chooses what is acceptable and immoral. In this theory an action God commands is morally acceptable and actions God forbids are ethically unacceptable. It also argues why people should worry about morality. It also elaborates why molarity is a concern for us and the consequences you shall face should immorality is practiced. .
             Some advantages of this theory are that it makes available an objective philosophical foundation for morality. For people that believe in the presence of objective moral facts, such facts are suitable in with the theistic structure. The theory requires for people to believe in God. The belief in God gives people hope to live moral lives and people believe that God will satisfy their actions by obeying his commands and living a moral life. God commands do not depend on what people think is right and wrong. His commands are completely objective. Most religions are very old and have recorded many of Gods commands. Religious books allow us to understand God, and make it easier for us to live morally. .
             There are many disadvantages/criticisms of The Divine Command Theory. There are many religions and teaching and all religions have different understanding of God and his word, how will a theorist that focuses on this theory know which one is right and which one to follow.


Essays Related to Theories: Divine Command and Natural Law

1. Philosophy

The Divine Command Theory is what most religious people look at as to tell what is right and wrong. ... The Theory of Natural Law is what the history of Christian thought goes toward. ... Secondly, this theory does not only describe how laws of nature are, but how they ought to be also. ... It is part of our natural makeup to be concerned about the others around us. The third and final main part of the Theory of Natural Law is the question of moral knowledge. ...

  • Word Count: 651
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

2. A Look at Socrates Great Argument:

Major theistic religions see God as a lawgiver who creates laws for us to obey. This notion, later elaborated upon and coined the Divine Command Theory, was once pondered by the Greek philosopher Socrates. ... Aside from God's divine command, truthfulness is neither right nor wrong. ... The preceding text proposes that the Divine Command Theory itself leads to impious conclusions and that any truly devout person should in fact reject the theory. ... Thomas Aquinas realized this and connected morality with religion in a different way which gave rise to the Theory of Natural Law. ...

  • Word Count: 830
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

3. State and Explain the Term "Christian Ethics"

Christian ethics is based on God's will and is a form of divine command position. ... "God said.." was placed in front of a phrase, and it was immediately turned into a divine command, and the beginning of Christian ethics, as we know it to this day. ... He also believed that natural law was a natural capacity through conscience, therefore natural law can be expressed by following the laws laid down. ... The moral teaching of the Catholic Church is based upon a sound theory of natural law. There are two foundational points upon which the Church bases its natural law theory - God has cr...

  • Word Count: 1098
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Logic, Ethics and Philosophy

Axiology deals with value theory. ... Divine command theory says that ethical principles are simply the command of God. This theory faces two problems. ... In dealing with The Natural Law theory the most influential Natural Law theorist was Saint Thomas Aquinas. He argued that both natural and divine law is expressions of the one basic law established by God. ...

  • Word Count: 2506
  • Approx Pages: 10

5. Logic, Ethics and Philosophy

Axiology deals with value theory. ... Divine command theory says that ethical principles are simply the command of God. This theory faces two problems. ... In dealing with The Natural Law theory the most influential Natural Law theorist was Saint Thomas Aquinas. He argued that both natural and divine law is expressions of the one basic law established by God. ...

  • Word Count: 2506
  • Approx Pages: 10

6. John Locke

In the Second Treatise of Government Locke includes ideas that were common in the seventeenth and eighteenth century political philosophy, natural rights theory, and social contract. ... People then exchange some of their natural rights to enter into society with other people, and be protected by common laws and a common executive power to enforce the laws. ... Locke wrote and developed the philosophy that there was no legitimate government under the divine right of kings" theory. ... "John Locke argued that the state of nature is a pre-political, yet moral society where humans are bound by d...

  • Word Count: 671
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. The Identity of Law

So laws cannot be mere commands. Commands as law only explain the bad citizen. 4. ... Imperative theory does not explain the reflexivity of law. If they are commands , then commanders cannot give commands to themselves. ... This order is transcendental, even if not divine. ...

  • Word Count: 7680
  • Approx Pages: 31
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Definition of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that calls for putting benevolence into action. ... For Bentham, rights and duties are legal notions, linked with the notions of command and sanction. What we call moral duties and rights would require a moral legislator (a divine being presumably) but theological notions are outside the scope of his theory. To talk of natural rights and duties suggests, as it were, a law without a legislator, and is nonsensical in the same way as talk of a son without a parent. Apart from theoretical considerations, Bentham also condemned the belief in natural rights on the...

  • Word Count: 686
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell

His argument about the relation of God with natural laws is fallacious. ... Next, from the argument that God enacted certain natural laws through fiat, he concludes that this is impossible since it represents a break in the natural law argument. He is again assuming, without any reason, that natural laws should apply to God. ... The Argument from Design is a variant of the Natural Law argument. ... Russell's approach to argue the Design law by Darwin theory is fallacious as Darwin's theory itself fails to explain why this mechanism is there and give no insights on how this mechanism ...

  • Word Count: 1856
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

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