Divine Command Theory

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On the other hand, DCT if God exists, have all it takes to be considered a moral theory.First, DCT unlike NLT, is purely descriptive since it tells humans how they should ought to be, and not what they are in nature. Second, DCT considers literally God’s commands as the only acceptable criteria: what God commands is moral and what God forbids in immoral. Therefore, DCT links morality to a rigid ground which is God, the omniscient, the omnipotent, the perfect one who can never make mistakes. “The belief that God is eternal and never changes means that his commands are as relevant today as when they were first recorded.” Essays, UK. (November 2013). That means that God’s commands are applicable regardless of space and time, which makes this theory global.

A second thing that makes DCT stands as a moral theory, is its objectivity. For in DCT morality is God’s commands and God’s commands are purely independent. For instance, God doesn’t follow what one is inclined to and consider it moral like in NLT. For example, one of God’s commands is to forbid murder, hence murder is morally unacceptable, even if someone thinks that murder is acceptable, murder would still be wrong because God says it is immoral. “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) .

Third, if you obey God , you will be rewarded , as He rewards the believers:

"Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

While if you disobey God you will be punished:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, if you disobey God you will be punished” (Romans 1:18).

In conclusion, according to DCT those who believe have strong impulses to follow God’s commands.

In this paper, firstly I have defined NLT and DCT, then I have stated the major characteristics of each theory. Secondly, I have mentioned the weaknesses of NLT, then I have showed how DCT being a moral theory avoids the weaknesses of NLT. Then, I have concluded that if God exists, DCT has better moral grounds than NLT. However, if God exists and DCT is true, to what extent can we link morality to God’s commands? Which lead us to another dilemma: “Is an action morally good because God commands it, or does God commands it because it is morally good?”

Works cited:

- Hobbes, T. & Lindsay, A. (1914). Leviathan (pp. chapter 13-14). London: J.M. Dent & Sons.

- O Sullivan, S. & A. Pecorino, P. (2002). Problems with Natural Law. Qcc.cuny.edu. Retrieved November 6, 2016, from http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/ETHICS_TEXT/Chapter_7_Deontological_Theories_Natural_Law/Problems_with_Natural_Law.htm

- What is Divine Command Theory?. (2016). GotQuestions.org. Retrieved November 6, 2016, from https://gotquestions.org/divine-command-theory.html#

- Essays, UK. (November 2013). Analysis Of Divine Command Theory Philosophy Essay. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/analysis-of-divine-command-theory-philosophy-essay.php?cref=1

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