Divine Command Theory Euthyphro Dilemma

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Divine Command Theory
By evo1 | Studymode.com

The Ten Commandments brought to us through Moses were said to be man's first laws. According to the Bible society was devoid of morality with the people running rampant. There were no laws to govern the actions of society and this created a hedonistic environment with people doing whatever they wanted without regard to the ramifications of such behavior. Obviously unable to govern their own impulses and without any moral compass the society was in danger of breaking down completely. According to Moses' account God spoke to him through a burning bush and voila the Ten Commandments were born. I believe these to be a good example of Divine Command Theory. Of course, there are problems with this theory with one of the main objections being called the “Euthyphro Dilemma”. Can these objections be resolved? Let's explore.

The ‘Divine Command’ theory, which is sometimes referred to as ‘Moral Transcendentalism’, is an ethical theory that holds the view that morality is dependent upon some form of transcendent being or God and that morality and ethical behavior is ultimately based on the divine character of said God. According to this theory the person performing behaviors knows the morally proper position at any given time based on the commands or desires of their God. The commands are based on which religion the adherent subscribes to, but Divine Command theory stretches across all of them. God's will sets the position of common morality. Put in simple terms: whatever God wills is right or just, and whatever is right or just, God wills.

This view is one of the more commonly held views by many Christians, and has been embraced by many of the influential theistic Christian thinkers such as ...

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... who were often the most keen to point this out. It may have become a bit of a cliché over the years but “the lord moves in mysterious ways “ speaks volumes to the added dilemma ‘Divine Command’ theorists face.

Socrates himself may provide the best means of solution to the dilemma caused by the question “what is the good?“ when there is no absolute answer forthcoming for us on the road ahead. As it seems to me the best way to discover the answer to that question is a healthy ‘Socratic method’ of investigation. One held by among men and women of all beliefs, and at all times. A dynamic and ever-ongoing process of dialectic involving thesis, antithesis and synthesis, in a quest to discover what is moral, and what is the good. The Gods can suit themselves.
Citations:
Green, Joel B.. Dictionary of scripture and ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2011. Print.

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