HW4 Chpts 5 & 9 Divine Command & Natural Law (3)

Name: HW - Divine Command Theory & Natural Law Theory ETHICS HW on Divine Command Theory and Civil Religion & Natural Law Theory Choose one of the following questions (A or B) and respond to it briefly. A) Ask someone a philosophical question. a. What did you ask? b. How did they respond? c. What happened next? B) Look at something in a new way (maybe through the lens of a philosopher or a topic in our class). a. What did you look at? b. What was new about the way you looked at it? A) a. I asked them “Is it right to put yourself before others?” B) They answered that it is totally okay to take care of yourself, then you can take care of others. C) We are going to explore more about different ethical theories that related to the topic. 1) (Recap) Respond to at least one of the following questions: a) What is a specific question (related to our class) that stands out to you at the moment (from class, the reading, etc.)? Why does it stand out? b) What statement , made by another student, stands out to you at the moment? Why does it stand out? c) What is one concept on which you gained clarity in our most recent class? What is one concept that is still unclear for you, and how can you go about clarifying it? - Deontology and utilitarianism, two ethical theories, are the ideas that made the most sense to me. Deontology uses the rules or standards of the moral code to assess if a certain behavior is right or wrong. Utilitarianism, on the other hand, bases decisions on what will result in the best possible situation. The utilitarian viewpoint maintains that "the end justifies the means," in contrast to deontology's view that "the end does not justify the means." The idea of Divine Command Theory and Natural Law Theory is still incomprehensible to me. I'll study the two chapters assigned to me, complete this project, and conduct additional research to deepen my understanding of these points. 2) As you read through these topics, think about where Divine Command and Natural Law Theory would be placed on the moral development scale. Explain where each would go and WHY it would go there. - Due to its dependence on outside authority, Divine Command Theory often fits into the pre-conventional stage, but Natural Law Theory fits into the post- conventional stage because of its emphasis on reasoned argument and the search of universal ethical standards. - The Divine command thought would be categorized as pre-conventional on the moral development scale because this tale contains beliefs. You may believe whatever you want about God. Your mortality is determined by God's will. - Natural law theory would be categorized as post-conventional on the moral development scale because mortality is a universal truth. In essence, we make choices that are advantageous to both people and non-people. Natural law affects all people in some manner. 3) Respond to the following question (found in the exercises in the chapter): “How have your religious beliefs, or lack thereof, shaped your morality? Is there a difference between religious and secular morality in your life? If so, what are the differences? If there are differences, how do you resolve a conflict between religious and secular morality ?” (Challenge: Even more important: How would you resolve a conflict between religious and universal morality?) - By adhering to the bible and the ten commandments, my religious convictions have influenced my morals. My family doesn't practice any religion; we believe in God. We judge the good or bad of something based on how long we have left to live. We do not adhere to religious practices or traditions. No, in my life there is no distinction between morality of a religious and spiritual kind. 4) In your experience, does religious morality tend to promote universal moral principles (like life, autonomy, liberty, pleasure/no-harm, justice, and Humanity – for all people / beings) or does it sometimes promote the violation of these principles? Provide a specific example if possible. - Depending on the circumstance, I believe religious morality both upholds and violates the fundamental moral precepts. For instance, there are numerous proponents and opponents of abortion. One of the concepts is that if a woman chooses to have an abortion, she is violating life; but, if she chooses not to have an abortion, she is supporting and following by the law. 5) In your own words, define religion . - Religion is beliefs a person has towards life and traditions such as praying or worshiping in a building such as a church or temple. 6) Respond to this question posed by Boss in the chapter: “How should we respond if someone claims that they are acting on divine command ? Should we simply accept their word for it?” a. S tate: Provide your initial, brief response. - Because it is their moral stance, we can't truly tell them they're mistaken or disagree with them. In respect to God, what is good for them may be incorrect for us. If someone claims to be behaving in accordance with a divine directive, I think they cannot possibly be mistaken. b. E laborate : “In other words…” - The action that God asks you to take is often the one that is ethically correct. c. E xemplify : “For example…” - God told me to trust myself. ©Kimber 2023

7) Respond to this question posed by Boss in the chapter: “Discuss what, if anything would be different about your moral beliefs and behavior if God did not exist.” AND what would be different about the morality of most people if it was somehow proven that God did not exist? - - I think things would be different because there wouldn't be anything for individuals to base their decisions on. The Bible and the Ten Commandments would not exist if God didn't make them. I probably wouldn't know right from wrong, and my moral convictions would be a complete chaos. If there were no gods, I believe this would apply to everyone. What actions would be ethically acceptable and inappropriate? Without regard for right or wrong, everyone would act and think as they like. 4) (Challenge) In the Euthyphro dialogue, written by Plato, Socrates asked, “Do the gods love holiness because it is holy, or is it holy because the gods love it?” (In other words, “Do the gods love something because it is good , OR is something good because the gods love it?) Rephrase this question in your own words. Then attempt to explain the significance of Socrates’ question. (Hint: There’s a BIG difference between the two ideas he mentions, and it has to do with the order of the premise and conclusion.) - If I were to take part in a demonstration, I would be justified in breaking the law since most protests are supported because the government is doing something that is immoral and we are protesting for a worthy cause. Strong justification follows one of the universal moral precepts and, like utilitarianism, makes everyone happy. Weak justification involves thinking just about oneself or a group of individuals who share the same culture, such as ethical subjectivism. 5) Provide an example of an issue for which you would participate in an act of civil disobedience . Protesting a) In this example, do you think that you would be justified in breaking the conventional law? Explain using terms/concepts from the chapter (or from previous chapters --- think about the difference between strong and weak justification). - If I were to take part in a demonstration, I would be justified in breaking the law since most protests are supported because the government is doing something that is immoral and we are protesting for a worthy cause. Strong justification follows one of the universal moral precepts and, like utilitarianism, makes everyone happy. Weak justification involves thinking just about oneself or a group of individuals who share the same culture, such as ethical subjectivism. 6) Select one of the chapter sections in the chapter on Divine Command Theory and Civil Religion . Write a statement or question that captures your understanding of the significance of this section as it relates to whole chapter. Use an example or create an analogy to elaborate upon your initial statement/question. - Divine Command theory what everything God says, it is morally right and we do it. For example, if God told you to kill yourself, would that be morally right because God said so? In fact, you are violating one of the universal moral principles, life. 7) Select one of the chapter sections in the chapter on Natural Law Theory . Write a statement or question that captures your understanding of the significance of this section as it relates to whole chapter. Use an example or create an analogy to elaborate upon your initial statement/question. - “Natural law is universal and applies to all humans at all times.” An example of killing someone is morally wrong and punishing that person to commit murder is morally right. 8) (Challenge & Optional) Are there any contemporary ethical issues (from recent news) that can be analyzed or evaluated using your understanding of divine command theory and natural law theory? a) Briefly describe the contemporary ethical issue or example): Climate change b) Explain the question , problem or issue AS a MORAL Issue or Dilemma: “Is it morally acceptable to ______________.” Is it morally acceptable to put economic development ahead of environmental protection, which results in irreparable harm to the planet's ecosystems and harm to future generations? i) NOW : Clarify your initial response by explaining exactly what makes this a moral issue or a moral dilemma . That is, explain which universal moral principles are at stake. Underline the universal moral principles in your reply. - This is a moral problem because it encompasses moral values that apply to all people, including environmental responsibility, intergenerational fairness, and the welfare of all living things. It raises concerns about our moral obligations to save endangered ecosystems, as well as our ethical duties to the environment and future generations. c) Analyze and interpret relevant information (facts and details). - Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and habitat loss are all risks posed by climate change, which is fueled by human activities like carbon emissions and deforestation. - Environmental deterioration frequently results from economic development because businesses favor profit above sustainability. d) Evaluate the issue to determine possible conclusions (in this case, try to evaluate the issue through – the lenses of divine command theory and natural law theory by explaining how each theory would interpret the information uncovered in your analysis. It may then be helpful to use one of the other theories we’ve discussed for additional elaboration and perspective.). - By examining whether acts that affect the environment are consistent with religious beliefs that highlight the care of the Earth as a divine order, the Divine order Theory may be used to explain this problem. It could contend that putting economic expansion ahead of the environment is ethically wrong considering divine precepts. ©Kimber 2023