Exam 67: James Rachels: The Divine Command Theory

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -Rachels argues that the divine command theory leads to impious results.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -Many religious people reject the divine command theory.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -The main problem with the divine command theory was first noted by Plato.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -The arbitrariness problem refers to the difficulty of discovering God's will.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -Rachels says the arbitrariness problem is merely a semantic difficulty.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -St. Thomas Aquinas accepted the divine command theory.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -The divine command theory solves the old problem of the objectivity of ethics.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -According to Rachels, if right conduct is right because God commands it, then

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -Rachels thinks that the divine command theory presents difficulties for both believers and unbelievers.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -The doctrine that morality depends on religion is called

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -Leibniz accepted the divine command theory.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -According to Rachels, the divine command theory says that "morally right" means

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -According to Rachels, if good and bad are defined by God's will, then the notion of God's goodness

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -Rachels points out that if we accept the divine command theory, we are caught in a dilemma.

Does morality depend on God for its legitimacy? Specifically, is an action right (or wrong) because God commands that it be so-or is it right (or wrong) independent of God's commands, so that God must in fact answer to the moral law? The view that morality does depend on God is known as the "divine command theory," and Rachels critiques it in this reading. He argues that this conception of morality is false and that neither the theist nor the nontheist should accept it. -According to Rachels, if God commands us to do certain things because they are right (independent of God's will), then