Ethical Theories (Midterm Exam)

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Recommended: Strengths and weakness of divine command theory

Divine command states that what is moral is determined by what God commands, and that to be moral is to follow his commands. For example, Jehovah’s witnesses do not allow blood fusions because their scriptures say humans are not allowed to drink blood; although blood transfusions are allowed for children. Even though modern society does not condemn blood transfusions many Jehovah’s witnesses do not allow blood transfusions because they believe God does not allow blood transfusions. God is the almighty, and what he commands is morally right. Another concrete application of divine command theory is the five pillars of Islam. One must devote his life to following the five pillars; the pillars are correct because God insists upon it. Every Muslim is obliged to believe that there is no other God than Allah, ritual prayer must be done five times a day facing the holy city Mecca, fasting must be done during the month of Ramadan, give at least 2.5% savings to the poor, and make a visit to Mecca at least once in a person’s life time. People follow divine command to the fullest because it is moral to follow God’s commands. The strong points of the theory is that it is morally acceptable for everyone. Many people will believe that what God says is true, and everyone follows the proper protocol to please God; a variety of people can come together and come to a general consensus on certain rules because it commanded by God. Many people believe that God is almighty, and everything he commands is for benevolence. It brings uniformity because everyone is expected to be held to certain principles and fulfill certain obligation; everyone has an example to follow by looking at the people around them. It brings people together because everyone has ... ... middle of paper ... ...describes that “you” are not more important than anyone else (Mackinnon 54). The strong point of this theory is that it is pragmatic. The idea of benefitting thousands of people is an idea that many are willing to do; your choices can affect you and thousands of other people. The weak points of this theory is that it is too complex, doesn’t account for the minority, and that the ends justify the means. People do not want to lose their happiness to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Many people disagree that our end goals justify our means; people are not in control of their consequences (ends) but are in control of their motives (means). The idea of Utilitarianism is also too complex because the rules are not simple to follow. For example it states that one’s happiness counts no more than that of others, but happiness cannot be measured quantitatively.

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