* Relativism is discarded (though not disproved) as it denies us a common language with which to discuss ethics.
wedge Ethics & Religion
* Many people believe that in order to have an ethical system (or to be a good person) you have to be part of a religion (or specifically, their religion).
* Others think that any religion is better than no religion at all.
* This flies in the face of the fact that throughout history, people have acted abysmally in the name of religion.
wedge Two ways in which people connect ethics/morality and religion:
wedge Divine command theory
wedge Appeal: simple!
* If you want to know what is right, ask what it is that God commands.
* What is wrong? What God forbids!
wedge Predicament
* Plato raised this question: What does this mean?
wedge One of two things.
wedge A > When God commands something, that makes it right.
* If we accept this (A), then this means B: that God's commands are arbitrary, and God's good becomes meaningless.
wedge C > God commands things because they are right.
* If we accept this (C), then this means D: that there is an standard of rightness independent of God's commands, and in fact independent of God. We have access to this standard.
* Generally speaking, B is objectionable to religious people, so not B therefore not A. (Not impossible, but generally not held.)
* Natural law theory (coming next week)