Divine Command Theory Case Study

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1) What is the “divine command theory” and how does it act as an ethical framework for beliefs and decisions? How does Quinn defend the divine command theory of religious ethics?

The divine command theory is when someone plays out God’s will or God’s command. They believe that because God commands it then it is morally right. This could mean doing something good or doing something bad, if it is God’s will then it is right (Boss, pg. 150).

Quinn argues that very few people have been given brutal or harsh commands from God, so it is safe to say that we do not need to live in fear that there will be a huge slaughter, or something on those lines (Boss, pg.154).

2) Summarize the four criticisms of divine command theory, giving …show more content…

How come he always naturally disasters (Boss, pg.157).
So far right now, I believe I take a stand with the critiques of this theory, not because I am not religion but because there is no way of knowing whether a crime was committed due to God’s command or not. Whether it was or not I do not believe it to be excusable.

3) What is “natural law” theory? What was Aquinas’ view of natural law theory in “The Summa Theologica”? How is “natural law” a form of ethics and is used for ethical decision-making? In particular, what is the relationship of natural law to civil disobedience? (You will need to look at Chapter 9, in order to answer this and the following questions.)

Natural law theory is the idea that morals are given to us by God. Morality does not come from God’s command; we are naturally aware of morality. We are able to determine whether an act even a command from God is morally right (Boss, pg.159.) Aquinas believed that “moral law is embedded in moral reason” (Boss, …show more content…

Whether you support the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars or not, give a criticism of the just war theory that would justify those wars (hint: might use some of the criticisms of the natural law theory on approximately p. 107)!

Not all people have the same morals, or agree on what is right or wrong. So when discussing the just war theory not everyone is going to agree what should be morally right to go forward with war (Boss, pg.163).

5) How do H.D. Thoreau, MLK, Jr., and S.B. Anthony all justify the ethics of civil disobedience?

H.D Thoreau, MLK Jr and S.B. Anthony justify civil disobedience by saying that “when breaking an unjust human law, we must do so in a way that is consistent with moral law” (Boss, pg.169). They also followed these criteria:

Only moral and nonviolent means are used to achieve its goals.
An effort is first made to bring about a change through legal means.
The actions are open and public.
Dissidents are willing to accept the consequences of their actions (Boss, pg.169).

6) What roles does religion play in society for the classical theorists, Durkheim and Marx, and for the contemporary theorist,

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