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Ethics, The Divine Command Theory
The Divine Command Theory incorporates two basic claims: a god or gods approve of or command certain actions and the deeds that the god or gods endorse or command are morally right because of this approval or command (Gierrson & Holmgren 33). This theory places importance on religion and the god worshipped in the determination of whether something is right or wrong. What has been chosen by god or the gods as being right is followed as being correct. In religion, this is based on what is written, for example, in the Bible or the Quran as being what one is expected to do. This school of thought has, however, brought many issues due to its ambiguity and the lack of a specific ‘god’ who approves what is noble or what is not. This causes conflict as what is right according to one god may not be so according to the other. An example of such an issue is where a group of physicians who performed abortions were killed by a group of people who claimed they were following the word of God (Gierrson & Holmgren 33). The people considered their actions as being morally correct.
There is an ethical dilemma as the underlying act in both sides was killing which God does not approve of in the Bible. The use of this theory in solving ethical dilemmas, therefore, brings confusion as there are different things that are approved of by the god at different times. For example, in the Old Testament, God brings a storm and kills everyone on the earth except Noah and his family. However, it is later written in the Bible that one shall not kill. Using the Divine Command theory has led to the upcoming groups of extremist individuals who take it upon themselves to avenge those who do what they do not consider morally correct. As with the group above, they condemn and even hurt those against them. Another example of such a situation is the Jihad wars against Christianity where one religion see themselves as being better that the rest of the religions. The theory cannot be used conclusively to come to a decision in regard to whether a deed is right or wrong. If the Divine Command theory is true, then would it also be true that god’s choice of moral laws is, in essence, an arbitrary act of will. This means that god has to choose between actions deciding which among them is right or wrong. The theory impedes on the free will human beings were given as they cannot make decisions based on their own judgments. They have to rely on preapproved laws that are either right or wrong. Consequently, where one interprets actions that harm others as being right, according to their god, they may go ahead and cause a lot of harm to others.
The major advantage derived from Divine Command theory is, it espouses facts of moral rightness or wrongness as an objective and non natural facts (Clark 101). This means that it is not subject to the thoughts of any one individual and hence if consistent can define what is noble or what is not. The non natural state of the theory is because it cannot be proven or tested by human beings and one has to follow it out of their own belief. Its primary shortcoming is that it is not consistent and hence one can interpret it in whichever way they want and decide to fulfill the higher beings wishes on what is noble or what is not. In addition, those who do not believe in gods such as atheists will have no moral compass to steer in regard to what is noble and what is not.
The claim about human beings subscribing to the Divine Command theory is not true as they have been given free will to undertake or participate in what they perceive to be right. Human beings act institutively in choosing what is morally right depending on their past experiences and values. The Divine Command theory and religion form an underlying concept which an individual considers in making a moral decision but may not necessarily do the right thing. An example is in cheating for an examination that one has not studied for in order to get good grades. However, it is considered morally wrong as it entails reaping where one has not sown. The Divine Command theory also comes into play here as cheating is considered bad in the Bible. The individual faced with this dilemma may consider the religious teachings and decide not to cheat or may put himself past and consider the consequences of not getting a good grade to their future and decide to cheat in the examination. In this case, the individual did not rely on the Divine Command theory to make the decision. The average person tends to be geared towards taking care of their own interests and of things which are pertinent to him such as their community and cultures. They are, therefore, when faced with a moral dilemma, likely to cater for themselves and their needs before thinking of other people. These needs may come before any of the teachings and religious beliefs that one may have. Making a decision on whether an action is morally right or wrong is largely dependent on their personal values and what they intrinsically believe is the right thing. This explains why an action considered right by one person may be wrong to another person.
Works Cited
Gierrson, H. & Holmgren, M.R. Ethical Theory: A Concise Anthology. New York: Broadview Press Limited, 2001. Print.
Clark, K.J. Readings in the Philosophy of Religion. New York: Broadview Press Limited, 2008. Print.