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Explore the complex relationship between religion and morality, tackling the debate surrounding whether morality is dictated by a higher being. This discussion delves into atheist perspectives, scriptural interpretation, and the challenges posed by different religious traditions and Plato’s Euthyphro. Unravel the philosophical dilemmas of divine command theory of morality, pondering if morals are arbitrary or if God commands based on inherent morality.
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Religion and Morality • Many people believe that morality ultimately depends upon an appeal to the dictates of a higher being. • Obvious problems with this position: • Atheist • Scriptural Interpretation • Different religious traditions • Additional difficulties are highlighted in Plato’s Euthyphro.
Plato’s Euthyphro • As Plato noted around 400BC, there are two main problems for those who adhere to the divine command theory of morality. 1.Is something moral because God commands it? Or 2. Does God command something because it is moral?
Problem #1 • Assume that (1) is the case (something is moral because God commands it) this seems to entail the following: 1. Morality is arbitrary 2. God’s presumed goodness is reduced to nonsense.
Problem #2 • Assume that (2) is the case (God commands something because it is right) seems to entail the following: 1. God is not the ultimate source of right and wrong.