Intro to God & Morality
Updated: November 20, 2024
Summary
The video explores the connection between God and morality, delving into theories that ground ethics in God without directly discussing God's existence. It discusses how many view morality as inherently tied to religion, which provides meaning in a seemingly godless universe. Divine Command Theory and Natural Law Theory are presented as approaches to religious ethics, offering objective bases for determining right and wrong based on God's commands. Critiques of Divine Command Theory are discussed, including challenges with acceptance by atheists, disagreements on God's commands, and uncertainty in discerning the will of God.
Introduction to God and Morality
The speaker introduces the topic of God and morality, emphasizing that the class will discuss theories that ground ethics in God without focusing on the existence of God directly.
The Connection Between Morality and Religion
The link between ethics and religion is explored, with a focus on how many people believe that morality is founded in God, leading to clergy members being seen as moral experts despite minimal formal ethical training.
Morality in a Godless Universe
The belief that morality is founded in religion is discussed, highlighting how a godless universe may seem devoid of meaning and value, leading to the idea that morality is grounded in religion for significance.
Approaches to Religious Ethics
Two main approaches to religious ethics, namely Divine Command Theory and Natural Law Theory, are introduced for discussion, with a focus on how they ground morality in God while specifying what is right and wrong based on God's commands.
Divine Command Theory
Divine Command Theory is detailed, explaining that actions are morally right if commanded or willed by God, offering an objective basis for morality and addressing moral relativism and moral motivation.
Critiques of Divine Command Theory
Various critiques of Divine Command Theory are presented, including issues with acceptance by atheists, disagreements on God's commands within and between religions, and the challenge of knowing what constitutes the commands and will of God.
FAQ
Q: What is the relationship between ethics and religion as discussed in the file?
A: The file explores how many people believe that morality is founded in God, leading to clergy members being seen as moral experts despite minimal formal ethical training.
Q: What are the two main approaches to religious ethics introduced in the file?
A: The two main approaches discussed are Divine Command Theory and Natural Law Theory.
Q: Can you explain Divine Command Theory?
A: Divine Command Theory states that actions are morally right if commanded or willed by God, providing an objective basis for morality.
Q: What are some critiques of Divine Command Theory presented in the file?
A: Critiques include issues with acceptance by atheists, disagreements on God's commands within and between religions, and the challenge of knowing what constitutes the commands and will of God.
Q: How does the file discuss the belief that morality is grounded in religion?
A: The file highlights how a godless universe may seem devoid of meaning and value, leading to the idea that morality is grounded in religion for significance.
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