God’s Relation to Morality
Write an argumentative essay on Divine Command Theory, Relativism, and Arbitrariness. Use all these claims and encounter arguments of the claim.
Sample Solution
The concept of divine command theory (DCT) asserts that morality is derived from the actions or commands of a higher power, such as God. This idea has been met with much debate in recent years, particularly due to its implications for relativism and arbitrariness. In this essay I will argue that DCT does not necessarily lead to either relativism or arbitrariness; rather, it can provide an ethical framework which respects individual autonomy and upholds universal moral principles.
Proponents of DCT view morality as an absolute set of standards which can be discovered through God’s teachings (Kane 2013). Thus, according to this perspective, any deviation from these standards would be considered “immoral” and should be avoided. However, some have argued that this notion leads to a form of relativism since different religions may have varying interpretations of what constitutes right and wrong behavior (Gert 2020).
Nevertheless, there are several ways in which DCT could support autonomy rather than relativism. For instance, many religious traditions require individuals to engage in reflection and self-examination before reaching a moral decision – thus giving individuals the freedom to exercise their own judgment rather than strictly adhering to God’s commands (Kane 2013). Additionally, the emphasis on personal responsibility inherent in DCT can also help mitigate issues related to arbitrariness since one is held accountable for their choices regardless of whether they come from an external source or oneself.
Overall then we can see that while some have expressed concern about how divine command theory might lead to issues like relativism and arbitrariness, there are ways in which it could actually promote autonomy by allowing people the opportunity for independent moral reflection. Therefore it is clear that although it may not always be easy to discern right from wrong when dealing with questions related morality ,the process should at least strive towards preserving individual choice while upholding universal values and principles.
