DCT NLT SCT Philosophy Exam 2 and
the basics of utilitarianism grade A+
Divine Command Theory - ANSWERSGod decrees what is right and wrong. Actions that God
commands us to do are morally required; actions that God forbids us to do are morally wrong.
DCT Problems - ANSWERS1. Nonbelievers will reject DCT because they don't believe in God
2. Plato's "Euthyphro Dilemma"
Euthyphro Dilemma - ANSWERSIs conduct right because 1. (DCT endorses) God
commands it, OR 2. does God command it because it is right?"
Problems with Option 1 of Euthyphro Dilemma - ANSWERS1. Makes morality mysterious
2. Wrong reasons for moral principles
-DCT implies: If God didn't exist, then child abuse wouldn't be wrong (because it would be
morally neutral)
3. and main problem with first option: DCT makes God's commands arbitrary
-"because I said so"
Problems with Option 2 of Euthyphro Dilemma - ANSWERS1. We abandon theological
conception of right and wrong.
2. God becomes optional
3. God becomes constrained by independent reasons.
Three Main parts of Natural Law Theory - ANSWERS1. NLT rests on particular world view:
"Teleological" and "rational."
, 2. NLT: "laws of nature" that tell us how things
ought to be; not just how things are.
3. NLT defends particular view of how we get
"moral knowledge" (through reason).
Natural Law Theory's Laws of Nature - ANSWERSLaws of nature are basis for laws of right
conduct:
Actions considered unnatural are, therefore,
immoral. They are contrary to "rational order" and
God-intended purposes. (The origin of "sinful"
behavior.)
ex. sexuality
NLT Problems - ANSWERS1. "What's natural is good." & "What's unnatural is
bad."
2. Hume's "is-ought gap." Don't derive an "ought"
from an "is"! (Cf. Cultural differences argument)
3. NLT's world view conflicts with natural science.
Four Basic Facts About all Human Life - ANSWERS1. Equality of need and basic needs.
2. Scarcity of goods.
3. Equality of human power.
4. Limited altruism.
Why be moral? Social Contract Theory rejects three traditional answers: - ANSWERS1. God
2. Natural purposes (Aristotle)
the basics of utilitarianism grade A+
Divine Command Theory - ANSWERSGod decrees what is right and wrong. Actions that God
commands us to do are morally required; actions that God forbids us to do are morally wrong.
DCT Problems - ANSWERS1. Nonbelievers will reject DCT because they don't believe in God
2. Plato's "Euthyphro Dilemma"
Euthyphro Dilemma - ANSWERSIs conduct right because 1. (DCT endorses) God
commands it, OR 2. does God command it because it is right?"
Problems with Option 1 of Euthyphro Dilemma - ANSWERS1. Makes morality mysterious
2. Wrong reasons for moral principles
-DCT implies: If God didn't exist, then child abuse wouldn't be wrong (because it would be
morally neutral)
3. and main problem with first option: DCT makes God's commands arbitrary
-"because I said so"
Problems with Option 2 of Euthyphro Dilemma - ANSWERS1. We abandon theological
conception of right and wrong.
2. God becomes optional
3. God becomes constrained by independent reasons.
Three Main parts of Natural Law Theory - ANSWERS1. NLT rests on particular world view:
"Teleological" and "rational."
, 2. NLT: "laws of nature" that tell us how things
ought to be; not just how things are.
3. NLT defends particular view of how we get
"moral knowledge" (through reason).
Natural Law Theory's Laws of Nature - ANSWERSLaws of nature are basis for laws of right
conduct:
Actions considered unnatural are, therefore,
immoral. They are contrary to "rational order" and
God-intended purposes. (The origin of "sinful"
behavior.)
ex. sexuality
NLT Problems - ANSWERS1. "What's natural is good." & "What's unnatural is
bad."
2. Hume's "is-ought gap." Don't derive an "ought"
from an "is"! (Cf. Cultural differences argument)
3. NLT's world view conflicts with natural science.
Four Basic Facts About all Human Life - ANSWERS1. Equality of need and basic needs.
2. Scarcity of goods.
3. Equality of human power.
4. Limited altruism.
Why be moral? Social Contract Theory rejects three traditional answers: - ANSWERS1. God
2. Natural purposes (Aristotle)
