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Morality and Religion

Morality and Religion. Outline. Introduction: To what extent is religion a basis for morality?. The Divine Command Theory. The Natural Law Theory. Conclusion: Religion and Morality. Outline. Introduction: To what extent is religion a basis for morality?. The Divine Command Theory.

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Morality and Religion

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  1. Morality and Religion

  2. Outline Introduction: To what extent is religion a basis for morality? The Divine Command Theory The Natural Law Theory Conclusion: Religion and Morality

  3. Outline Introduction: To what extent is religion a basis for morality? The Divine Command Theory The Natural Law Theory Conclusion: Religion and Morality

  4. Introduction Religion as a foundation of morality Our problem:Moral truths 1. Are there such things as moral truths? 2. How do we know them and what is their content? One answer:Religion 1. Yes: God’s law - As God’s creation, the world is in order – God’s law. - Human beings and their acts are part of such order. - Humans beings ought to follow the moral law in their actions. 2. We must find out God’s law.

  5. Introduction Morality and Religion The problem: - Not all religious people act morally – religion not sufficient for moral behavior - Not all non-religious people act immorally – religion not necessary  The relationships between morality and religion are more complex than expected  Our question: to what extent can religion be a foundation for morality?

  6. Outline Introduction The Divine Command Theory The Natural Law Theory Conclusion: Religion and Morality

  7. The Divine Command Theory The Divine Command Theory (DCT): The Divine Command Theory is the view on morality that what is right is whatever God commands. This gives answers to our questions: 1. Are there such things as moral truths? Yes, God’s law 2. How do we know them and what is their content? We know them through religion, and their content are whatever our religion says it is.

  8. The Problem with the DCT: Socrates’ question Socrates’ question about the definition of “what is holy”: Euthyphro: what is holy is whatever is loved by the gods Socrates: is it holy because it is loved by the gods or is it loved by the gods because it is holy? Socrates’ answer: it is loved by the gods because it is holy – not the other way.

  9. The Problem with the DCT: Understanding Socrates’ question Socrates’ question about the definition of “what is a great hike”: Euthyphro: what is a great hike is whatever is loved by the Montanans. Socrates: is it a great hike because it is loved by the Montanans or is it loved by the Montanans because it is a great hike? Socrates’ answer: it is loved by the Montanans because it is a great hike– not the other way around.

  10. The Problem with the DCT: Socrates’ question applied to the DCT Socrates’ question about the definition of “what is right”: Euthyphro: what is right is whatever is whatever God commands Socrates: is it right because God commands it or does God command it because it is right? Socrates’ answer: it is commanded by God because it is right – not the other way around.

  11. The Problem with the DCT: One last example Socrates’ question about the definition of “what is good for your education”: Euthyphro: what is good for your education is whatever is whatever your parents command Socrates: is it good for your education because your parents command it or do your parents command it because it is good for your education ? Socrates’ answer: it is commanded by your parents because it is good for your education – not the other way around.

  12. The Divine Command Theory: Two interpretations Interpretation 1: Something is right because God commands it Interpretation 2: God commands something because it is right Interpretation 1: Good for your education because your parents command it Interpretation 2: Commanded by your parents because good for your education Mere Authority Knowledgeable guide

  13. The Divine Command Theory: Interpretation 1 – Pros and Cons Interpretation 1: Something is right because God commands it PROS: - There are moral truths - These truths are easy to find: Follow the Scriptures as an absolute authority CONS: - Moral truths are arbitrary - How to understand the Scriptures when ambiguous or outdated?

  14. The Divine Command Theory: Interpretation 2 – Pros and Cons Interpretation 2: God commands something because it is right PROS: - There are moral truths - These truths are not arbitrary CONS: Moral truths exist independently of religion / God We need another foundation!

  15. The Divine Command Theory: The Divine Command Theory is the view on morality that what is right is whatever God commands. Socrates’ question: Is it right because God’s commands it or does God command it because it is right Two interpretations: 1. Right because God commands it Problem: Arbitrariness of moral truths 2. Commanded by God because it is right Problem: need for another foundation The Divine Command Theory Conclusion

  16. Outline Introduction The Divine Command Theory The Natural Law Theory Conclusion: Religion and Morality

  17. The Natural Law Theory The Natural Law and the Cosmos The idea of the cosmos: • Cosmos: the world in rational order – natural law • Humans: gifted with reason to understand the law • Morality: understand and follow the natural law The Natural Law Theory The Natural Law Theory is the view that what is right is governed by the natural law, which reflects the rational order of the world. Aquinas: Reason = “the imprint of divine light” on us

  18. Humans vs. Animals - Only humans can follow the law voluntarily – will - Only humans can understand the law – reason The Natural Law Theory Morality and Us Believers vs Non-believers All humans can understand and follow the law, believers or not, because all humans possess reason and will To what extend is religion a foundation of moral truths? - The rational order is the ultimate foundation - But Religion gives us the assurance that the world is in a rational order

  19. The Natural Law Theory Moral Truths How can we understand the law? • Same as mathematics (Euclid) • Rational intuition + logical reasoning What does the law provide us? • General guiding principles for our motives/intentions • NOT specific acts for particular circumstances • Ex: “good entrusted to another should be restored to their owner”

  20. The Natural Law Theory Conclusion The Natural Law Theory: what is right is governed by the natural law, which reflects the rational order of the world. Common aspects between the NLT and the DCT - There are moral truths - We can know them Difference between the NLT and the DCT: - Use of reason necessary - All humans - Only guidelines – not particular cases The NLT: what does religion give us?Rational order of the world

  21. Outline Introduction: Is religion a necessary basis for morality? The Divine Command Theory: 2 interpretations The Natural Law Theory Conclusion: Religion and Morality

  22. Our problem:Moral truths 1. Are there such things as moral truths? 2. How do we know them and what is their content? An answer: ReligionBut how? 1. Divine Command Theory: - Socrates’ question: two interpretations - Interpretation 1: moral truths arbitrary - Interpretation 2: need for another foundation 2. Natural Law Theory - Reason as the ultimate foundation of moral truths - Religion as the guarantee of the rational order of the world Morality and Religion

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