Natural-Law-and-Divine-Command-Theory.pp

Definitely and knowing the natural law and divine commands

1. THEORY OF NATURAL LAW AND DIVINE COMMAND THEORY E t h i c s

2. A moral theory that posits the existence of a set of inherent, objective principles that govern human behavior. Th ese principles are considered to be discoverable through reason and observation of the natural order. NATURAL LAW Lawenko

3. Ancient Greek philosopher argued that because humans are the only creatures or beings with the ability to think, their purpose is to use this ability We achieve our true purpose when we think, and we go against this end when we do not think or when we do not think intelligently. A NCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

4. Laid the foundation for natural law theory. (Nicomachean Ethics) Ethical behavior is aligned with reason and the pursuit of eudaimonia, or human flourishing. ARISTOTLE Lawenko

5. ·Design and order are present in the universe, for things happen in an orderly way, thus the universe can be understood by studying it in terms of purposes. Humans have free will since we can go against the design of the universe. But those who go against the universe suffer the consequences of erroneous ideas, poor health and an unhappy life ARISTOTLE

6. “The world, therefore, is an orderly, rational system, with each thing having its own proper place and serving its own special purpose” (Rachels, 2010, 55). D e s t a j o , O l b e s ARISTOTLE

7. Reason is the guide of moral conduct. Believed in a rational and purposeful order of the universe. Individuals should align their will with the natural law of reason and live in accordance with virtue. THE STOICS Lawenko

8. One of the first thinkers who conceived of the idea of natural law as the basis of morality God is immanent in or even identical with nature (pantheism) Nature, for the Stoics, refers to the natural order as a whole,” cosmic nature.” To live a good life, humans have to align themselves to a kind of “cosmic” nature. D e s t a j o , O l b e s T H E S T O I C S

9. Fundamental cosmic principles govern and unify everything in the world. Natural order is thus rational. To reason and act rationally is to be in harmony with nature. Rationality is a key to pursing a moral life. Violence and vice are consequences of irrationality and not being in harmony with nature’s universal laws. D e s t a j o , O l b e s T H E S T O I C S

10. Natural law is derived from God and is discovered through reason . Identified basic principles: preservation of life, the pursuit of knowledge, the importance of social order THOMAS AQUINAS Lawenko

11. He synthesized the Stoics’ sense of cosmic natural law with Aristotle’s view that human beings have a specific nature, purpose, and function. Aquinas asserts that humanity’s function is to exhibit rationality in all its forms: contemplation, deliberation, and action. The fundamental precept of the natural law: good is to be done and evil avoided. D e s t a j o , O l b e s S T . T H O M A S AQUINAS

12. W H A T I S T H E G OO D O R EVIL? All those things to which man has a natural inclination are naturally apprehended by reason as good, and consequently as objects of pursuit, and their contraries as evil, and objects of avoidance (Evangelista & Mabaquiao Jr., 2020). D e s t a j o , O l b e s S T . T H O M A S AQUINAS

13. Aquinas holds a natural law theory of morality: what is good and evil is derived from the rational nature of human beings. Good and evil are thus both objective and universal (Himma, 2020). D e s t a j o , O l b e s S T . T H O M A S AQUINAS

14. Morality is part of the natural order of things. Reason can discover valid moral principles by looking at the nature of humanity and society. NATURAL LAW Lawenko

15. UNNATURAL Unnatural acts are those that are contrary to the natural order of things, such as cloning or genetic engineering. IMMORAL Immoral acts are those that are considered wrong or unethical, such as lying or stealing. NATURAL Natural acts are those that occur as a result of natural processes, such as eating, sleeping, or breathing. U NN A T U R A L , I MM O R A L , A N D NATURAL If something is “unnatural,” it is also immoral. D e s t a j o , O l b e s

16. In older versions of the Natural Law Theory, God is the source of the natural law. In modern and recent versions, the natural law is inherent in the universe and humanity, thus, no supernatural force is needed for its existence. (Evangelista & Mabaquiao Jr., 2020). NATURAL LAW

17. How do we recognize natural law? Reason & Rationality Universal Consensus Observation of Human Nature Philosophical Inquiry Appeal to Conscience Religious Revelation Legal and Cultural Traditions Reflection on Human Flourishing NATURAL LAW Lawenko

18. Objective Moral Order -posits the existence of an objective moral order that is inherent in the nature of the world of human beings. Moral Principles Grounded on Nature -moral principles are grounded in the nature of human beings & the world. Discovery Through Reason -individuals can discover moral truths though the use of reason. Basis for Ethical Decision-Making -provides framework for ethical decision-making. Connection to Human Flourishing -argued that ethical behavior is connected to the concept of eudaimonia or human flourishing. NATURAL LAW & MORALITY Lawenko

19. Universal Moral Principles -implies the universality of moral principles. Source of Moral Authority -moral principles are grounded in an objective reality, providing a foundation for ethical norms. Critique of Relativism -offers a response to moral relativism by asserting the existence of objective moral truths. . NATURAL LAW & MORALITY Lawenko

20. The Divine Command Theory of Morality (DCT) is a relatively simple theory of moral obligation that equates our moral duties to the commandments of God: What God commands is morally obligatory. What God prohibits is morally prohibited. D e s t a j o , O l b e s D I V I N E C OM M A N D

21. Serves as a foundational source for ethical principles within religious traditions. Moral and legal framework within religious traditions. Considered to be a direct expression of the will of a divine being. D I V I N E C OM M A N D & MORALITY Lawenko

22. Moral Code from a Higher Power Ultimate Moral Authority Obligation and Duty M oral Guidelines in Sacred Texts . Judgment and Consequences Integration into Daily Life Community and Social Morality Interplay with Human Reasoning D I V I N E C OM M A N D & MORALITY Lawenko

23. God’s commands are the source of morality. The motivation behind the DCT is to solve challenges of relativism and of why one ought to be moral through its universal rules. Moral commands are overriding, in the sense that they trump other motivations such as convenience or self-interest. D I V I N E C OM M A N D D e s t a j o , O l b e s

24. The DCT makes it clear that if God prohibits something, then it is absolutely wrong whether or not it leads to suffering, violates a cultural norm, or violates the categorical imperative. The DCT suggests a strong reason to act morally: morality is essentially submission to the authority of the creator, who may punish transgressors. D I V I N E C OM M A N D D e s t a j o , O l b e s

25. In contrast with most other theories of ethical action, it emphasizes obedience or submission as a central virtue not obedience in general, of course, but to God and perhaps to God’s representatives. D e s t a j o , O l b e s D I V I N E C OM M A N D

26. The only use of moral autonomy is to determine whether an action falls under the scope of a particular commandment to abide by the principal virtue for the DCT which is obedience to the will of God. This may for some people be attractive as it offers an escape from the weighty demands of moral judgment; one essentially transfers responsibility to a third party. D I V I N E C OM M A N D D e s t a j o , O l b e s

27. Some theists (people who believe that God exists) believe that God has created the world and everything that exists, then God must have created morality too. God is omnipotent, then it would seem that God could choose any morality, we are just fortunate that God chose a morality that facilitates human flourishing. D e s t a j o , O l b e s D I V I N E C OM M A N D

28. P R O B L E M S C O N C E R N I N G D I V I N E C O MM A N D How do we know what God has commanded? How can we resolve issues that arise from applying ancient commands to contemporary moral problems? The DCT presupposes that we have the right religion, and also that we interpret that religion correctly. What about those people who have diverse faiths with contrasting beliefs or those with no faith at all? Human cloning, pornography, assisted suicide, or nuclear weapons? We will need to use our judgment to determine what the commands suggest God would have commanded, but this will render obedience less clear. 6

29. P R O B L E M S C O N C E R N I N G D I V I N E C O MM A N D God has issued multiple commands, sometimes leading to dilemmas in which we are commanded to do two incompatible actions. E u t h y p r o Di l e mm a – P l at o ’ s Di al o g u e Euthypro What if the only way to “honor thy parents” is to “bear false witness,” or if keeping the Sabbath holy will require violating the duty to honor thy parents? Supporters of the DCT can develop responses to these problems of application, but the cost will be that the theory will lose its simplicity, one of its chief attractions. I s s o m e t h i n g g oo d b e c a u s e G o d c o mm a n d s it, or does God command it because it is good? - something is good simply because God commands it, then morality becomes arbitrary and subjective. - God commands something because it is good, then morality exists independently of God. 6

30. A M E N !