1. Why Should I Be Moral? The Ring of Gyges This question is not about what is moral (an issue of “normative” ethics) but about why I should do what I acknowledge is moral when it is not in my self-interest to do so (a “metaethical issue).

2. Answers to “Why Be Moral?” u Rational: my justification for acting morally is precisely because I see it as moral –Objection: why be rational? u Religious: God links sanctions (punishments and rewards) to immoral/moral behavior –Objection: not persuasive to non-believers u Social: adherence to moral rules promotes the rational self-interest of everyone –Objection: not persuasive to free riders

3. Divine Command Theory The good is whatever God commands (as identified in the Scriptures) because it is God’s command Objections: l What God wills can be arbitrary l Scriptures conflict and need interpretation l If God’s will is not arbitrary, then moral principles are justified non-religiously

4. Social Contract Theory u Following moral rules is the best way for us to promote our rational self-interests u To discourage free riders, we need to make it difficult to get away with breaking rules –Objection: this does not explain why everyone has an obligation to be moral