1. Morality in the Modern World

2. Where does morality come from?

3. Euthyphro Dilemma

5. The Euthyphro argument gets its name from Plato’s Euthyphro dialogue; a dialogue between Euthyphro who is prosecuting his father for killing his own slave and Socrates, who is being prosecuted for ‘corrupting’ the youth. The Euthyphro argument gets its name from Plato’s Euthyphro dialogue; a dialogue between Euthyphro who is prosecuting his father for killing his own slave and Socrates, who is being prosecuted for ‘corrupting’ the youth. In general, the Euthyphro Dilemma consists of asking whether the Good exists because God wills it, or whether God acts in conformity to the idea of the Good. In general, the Euthyphro Dilemma consists of asking whether the Good exists because God wills it, or whether God acts in conformity to the idea of the Good. In short, it consists of asking “where do moral standards come from ?”. In short, it consists of asking “where do moral standards come from ?”.

6. The Euthyphro dilemma is introduced with the question from Socrates to Euthyphro: The Euthyphro dilemma is introduced with the question from Socrates to Euthyphro: “Does God command the good because it is good, “Does God command the good because it is good,OR or is it good because it is commanded by God? “ or is it good because it is commanded by God? “

8. First Horn of the Dilemma Asserts that God commands the good because it is good in itself. Asserts that God commands the good because it is good in itself. If God commands the good because it is good, then he bases his decision what to command on what is already morally good. If God commands the good because it is good, then he bases his decision what to command on what is already morally good. Moral goodness, then, must exist before God issues any commands, otherwise he wouldn’t command anything. Moral goodness, then, must exist before God issues any commands, otherwise he wouldn’t command anything. If moral goodness exists before God issues any commands, though, then moral goodness is independent of God’s commands; If moral goodness exists before God issues any commands, though, then moral goodness is independent of God’s commands; God’s commands aren’t the source of morality, but merely a source of information about morality. God’s commands aren’t the source of morality, but merely a source of information about morality. Morality itself is not based in divine commands. Morality itself is not based in divine commands.

9. Second Horn of Dilemma Asserts that the good is good because it is commanded by God. Asserts that the good is good because it is commanded by God. On this view, nothing is good until God commands it. On this view, nothing is good until God commands it. This, though, raises a problem too: This, though, raises a problem too: if nothing is good until God commands it, then what God commands is completely morally arbitrary; if nothing is good until God commands it, then what God commands is completely morally arbitrary; God has no moral reason for commanding as he does; morally speaking, he could just as well have commanded anything else. God has no moral reason for commanding as he does; morally speaking, he could just as well have commanded anything else. This problem is exacerbated when we consider that God, being omnipotent (all-powerful), could have commanded anything at all. This problem is exacerbated when we consider that God, being omnipotent (all-powerful), could have commanded anything at all.

10. He could, for example, have commanded polygamy, slavery, and the killing of the over- 50s. He could, for example, have commanded polygamy, slavery, and the killing of the over- 50s. If divine command theory is true, then had he done so then these things would be morally good. If divine command theory is true, then had he done so then these things would be morally good. That doesn’t seem right, though; even if God had commanded these things they would still be morally bad. That doesn’t seem right, though; even if God had commanded these things they would still be morally bad. Divine command theory, then, must be false. Divine command theory, then, must be false.

11. Divine Command Theory D.C.T. 2 nd Horn

12. Doing God’s will Divine command theory holds that morality is all about doing God’s will. Divine command theory holds that morality is all about doing God’s will. God, divine command theorists hold, has issued certain commands to his creatures. God, divine command theorists hold, has issued certain commands to his creatures. We can find these commands in the Bible or other holy books, or by asking religious authorities, or perhaps even just by consulting our moral intuition. We can find these commands in the Bible or other holy books, or by asking religious authorities, or perhaps even just by consulting our moral intuition. We ought to obey these commands; that’s all there is to ethics. We ought to obey these commands; that’s all there is to ethics.

13. Divine Command Theorists There are several reasons for theists to be divine command theorists. There are several reasons for theists to be divine command theorists. If God is the creator literally all things, then he created morality. If God is the creator literally all things, then he created morality. If God rules over all Creation, then we ought to do what he tells us to do. If God rules over all Creation, then we ought to do what he tells us to do. The consistent message of the Bible is that we should obey God’s commands. The consistent message of the Bible is that we should obey God’s commands.

14. Argument against DCT The most famous argument against divine command theory is the Euthyphro Dilemma. The most famous argument against divine command theory is the Euthyphro Dilemma. However the divine command theorist tries to answer the questions from the two horns of dilemma, unacceptable consequences seem to arise However the divine command theorist tries to answer the questions from the two horns of dilemma, unacceptable consequences seem to arise

15. Absolute Morals Is the belief that there are moral principles which hold true for all people at all times in all situations. Is the belief that there are moral principles which hold true for all people at all times in all situations. In religion moral absolutism is often found under the guise of DCT. In religion moral absolutism is often found under the guise of DCT. It means that God has set down a set of moral values which hold true for all people at all times in all circumstances. It means that God has set down a set of moral values which hold true for all people at all times in all circumstances. This means that the moral values cannot be changed or added to, they are objective. This means that the moral values cannot be changed or added to, they are objective.

16. Relative Morals Is the view that there are no objective, absolute ethical truths. Is the view that there are no objective, absolute ethical truths. Moral facts only hold relative to a given individual or society. Moral facts only hold relative to a given individual or society. According to this ethical theory, what is morally good for one person or culture might be morally bad for another, and vice versa: there are no moral absolutes. According to this ethical theory, what is morally good for one person or culture might be morally bad for another, and vice versa: there are no moral absolutes. The individualistic form of moral relativism, according to which morality varies between individuals, is subjective ethics. The individualistic form of moral relativism, according to which morality varies between individuals, is subjective ethics.

17. Heteronomous Morals

18. Root meaning of ‘heteronomous’ comes from– rules followed by others Root meaning of ‘heteronomous’ comes from– rules followed by others Follow moral rules given by others out of obedience to an authority who has coercive power Follow moral rules given by others out of obedience to an authority who has coercive power Heteronomous morality is conformity to external rules that are simply accepted and followed without question. Heteronomous morality is conformity to external rules that are simply accepted and followed without question. Examples of heteronomous morality derived from power and authority or other sources of guidance are parents, teachers, community, religion etc. Examples of heteronomous morality derived from power and authority or other sources of guidance are parents, teachers, community, religion etc.

19. Morality is considered heteronomous if it depends on religious beliefs or if it has been developed with reference to a set of values provided by religion. Morality is considered heteronomous if it depends on religious beliefs or if it has been developed with reference to a set of values provided by religion. Society influenced by religious views and attitudes. These have an unconscious effect, even on those who are not religious. Society influenced by religious views and attitudes. These have an unconscious effect, even on those who are not religious. Contrasts with autonomy-Autonomous moral systems which depend on reasonableness and good-will of individuals - but this cannot be guaranteed. Contrasts with autonomy-Autonomous moral systems which depend on reasonableness and good-will of individuals - but this cannot be guaranteed. Ultimate authority for Christian morality (as for Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu) is God's will. Ultimate authority for Christian morality (as for Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu) is God's will.

20. Autonomous Morals Root meaning of ‘autonomous’ comes from- ‘follows moral rules of self’ Root meaning of ‘autonomous’ comes from- ‘follows moral rules of self’ Such rules are self constructed and self- regulating principles. Such rules are self constructed and self- regulating principles. It means that moral values are independent of religious belief. It means that moral values are independent of religious belief. Highlights reason as the main source of morality Highlights reason as the main source of morality

21. Does not rely on guidance from any other source. Does not rely on guidance from any other source. Contrasts with heteronomy. Contrasts with heteronomy. Describes reasons for the rejection of religion as source of morality. Describes reasons for the rejection of religion as source of morality. Explains that both religious and non- religious people can accept that moral values are autonomous e.g. you make an autonomous choice whether to follow the heteronomous morals of a religion. Explains that both religious and non- religious people can accept that moral values are autonomous e.g. you make an autonomous choice whether to follow the heteronomous morals of a religion.