Anti-Realism A philosophy which claims statements are true because they cohere with other statements that are accepted as true within a given form of life/society Cognitivist A philosophy which claims statements are true because they correspond or refer to a real object or concept. i.e. a real and existing standard of beauty Divine Command A theory that moral statements are in fact expressions of emotion, either approving or disapproving of actions Emotivism An action which is right because God commands it. Non-Cognitivist Approach to moral claims that relates them exclusively to an objective basis of good and bad Objective truth Approach to moral claims that relates them exclusively to the emotions and preferences of people who use them Prescriptivism Something (whether an object or concept) exists and remains true everywhere, independent of human thought and feelings Realism Something (whether an object or concept) is only true under certain conditions, at certain times, or for certain people Subjective truth Theory that moral statements recommend (or prescribe!) a particular course of action

Good & God or Good God? Today’s Objectives To know what the divine command theory is To understand the complications associated with divine command To reflect on the impact on God of this theory

Situations Task In groups, read through your situation. What would you do in that situation? You have 3 minutes to come up with a conclusion and explanation At the end you will have to read out your situation and then explain your course of action

How many of you acted... Morally Legally

A guilty feeling gotten on a rhythm??? No one was in the office There was a DVD I wanted I took it No one knows it was me No one has noticed that the DVD has gone However... I feel guilty WHY???

What is right = What God wills

Any issues with that??? What God wills = What is Good/Right God wills do not steal God wills honour your mother and father God wills hit your little sister with a broom God wills don’t walk on the cracks in the pavement God wills a fun test where you have to go out and sacrifice your own son...

Have you got any solutions to that problem??

Solutions? Absurdity is apparent and God’s will is the source of morality

Euthyphro Dilemma Plato – Early Dialogues Socrates and Euthyphro Euthyphro says ‘holy’ is ‘whatever all the gods love’ Right/Good/Virtuous = Approved of by Gods Socrates – Option A: Right because gods command it – Option B: They command it because it is right What are the implications??

Options... God’s will = source of morality – Whatever he commands = Good – Could command horrific things – Should we worship such a God? God’s will = not the source of morality – God has to follow a moral law – Surely we can still be moral but ignore God... – Euthyphro chooses this one

GOOD/RIGHT/VIRTUOUS

Criticism of Euthyphro conclusion Next lesson we will be going over the conclusion and seeing whether there are any flaws in the argument. We will also be discussing the divine command as a moral theory in more detail and seeing whether it still can be a valid argument for morality Criticism of Euthyphro conclusion and discussion of the Divine Command Why is it not a surprise that many believers are not happy with this conclusion?

Plenary CHAIN OF LEARNING!!! Each person is going to say a sentence before we can leave The sentence has to explain something you have learnt today It has to be original – no one else can have said it It should follow on from what the person before said. (i.e. I like cheese, fromage is the French for cheese rather than Canary Warf is in London) Today’s Objectives To know what the divine command theory is To understand the complications associated with divine command To reflect on the impact on God of this theory