Divine Command Morality

Divine Command Morality Essay

In the article written by Plato regarding the theory of diving command morality, Plato makes his argument against the idea that right and wrong actions are commanded by gods. The theory of divine command morality states that good and bad are decided by the gods, not by humans. Plato illustrates his argument through a discussion between Socrates and another man named Euthyphro; Socrates tries to prove that divine command morality is not logical and cannot possibly be true. Euthyphro is asked by Socrates whether the good is good because the gods think it is, or if it is deemed good by the gods because it is good on its own; Euthyphro finds it quite difficult to reach a conclusion with a sense of certainty or any real evidence or reason to support his claim.   A dilemma is reached at the point in the article where Socrates confuses Euthyphro by showing that the theory is contradictory.
The dilemma presented by Socrates is quite simply once it is broken down; Is what is moral commanded by God because it is moral, or is it moral because it is commanded by God?. If the theory of divine command morality is true, and the gods decide which things are good and which are bad, then there is no real need for morality because we are not making our own decisions or creating our own moral ideals. For this to be true, then something must be deemed good because the gods think it is good. However, if those things which are good are good on their own without influence from the gods, then divine command morality is false, because the gods are not deciding anything, it is naturally commanded that we do those things which are good and try to avoid doing those which are wrong. In polytheistic religions the statement from Socrates is logically sound and valid. It is not possible for those things which are good to be loved by the gods because they are good, and for the good to be good because the gods love them at the same time because it is circular... [continues]

Read full essay