In this article, I compare the Divine Command Theory and the natural law theory as the sources of human morality. Throughout this argument, one question persists- “what law governs and determines if human actions are good or bad?” In this aspect, the divine theory will essentially rely on religion, scriptures, and God as the source of morality, seemingly developing an assumption that without God, there are no morals and that whatever God commands is good. Natural laws work devoid of religion or theological convictions relating to God. These laws emanate from nature and apply to all contexts
The Divine Command Theory (DCT)
DCT paints a picture of God being in command with humans as followers of various rules and regulations. In examining this notion, we will explore several tenets that justify the conviction held by this paradigm. Firstly, this theory asserts that whatever God commands is moral and beneficial for humans. Typically, DCT posits that for a deed to be moral, it must emanate from God (Quinn, 2013). In simpler terms, the divine command does not rely on or stem from other sources like scriptures or religion but only from God. In this context, all the commandments emerge from a universal source that governs human morality.
Secondly, the divine command does not require any logical questioning or reason from any other source other than God. In simpler terms, what God commands requires neither consultation nor inquiry from any other entity, and humans have but to follow and execute the commandments as issued by GOD. In this context, there is no grey area regarding values or morals given by God. Thirdly, the divine command theory holds God as the final determinant of what is moral. In this aspect, it is God only who judges according to His set standards. For instance, a particular deed can either be as acceptable or inappropriate, not depending on nature, but according to how God likes or dislikes it. Besides, the divine command theory emphasizes obedience as a human virtue. However, DCT restricts obedience only to God. In this context, human beings should have no option but to listen and follow the will of God (Roberson,2018). Their reasoning could either be erroneous or lead them to destruction. The notion of eternal punishment due to disobedience invokes fear and breeds obedience among Christians.
In light of the aspects discussed above, it is crucial also to examine the downside of the Divine Command Theory. Even with religion, scriptures, and theological history, critics continuously discredit the Divine Command Theory for several reasons. Firstly, as the theory suggests, morality emanates from God. Besides refereeing from the Bible and other holy accounts, no human being has ever proven the existence of God. In this context, it is naïve to assert that a deity unknown to humans issues morals and commandments that govern human actions. In other words, God may as well be an imagination, an illusion, or a psychological entity created to control humans. The argument for God’s existence is historical and relevant even in contemporary society.
Secondly, the theory emphasizes obedience and following God’s commands. In human society, religions claim some values to be God’s commands. If one may ask, who heard or even saw God giving these commands. Defenders of the Divine Command theory will quickly point out the Ten Commandments issued to Moses on Mt Sinai. However, as stated, morals stem directly from God and not scripture (Al-attar, 2015). If the scripture dictates how humans should act, perhaps there would be no need to listen or follow what God says. If the Ten Commandments are valid, are they not too limited or few compared with the complexity of human behavior? Thirdly, if God’s laws govern morality, are they suitable for contemporary settings. If the scripture carries God’s commandments as controls of human activities, the laws must be out of context with the current environment.
One of the main pillars of the divine command theory states that God commands dictates morality and prohibits all evil. The notion built by this tenet seemingly implies that whatever God commands is the best thing to do regardless of its nature. According to this theory, to kill, loot, or rape as per God’s commandments is not evil (Harrison, 2015). Critics of the Divine Command theory often question the superiority between God and morals. For instance, does God follow the same rules he wants humans to follow? If yes, morals must be greater than God and not His own (Harrison, 2015). If not, then God must be a sinner as he does not adhere to His rules. Also, the DCT leaves no room for human reasoning and logic. Since God is the only source of morality, then there is no reason for having brains. Based on this notion, God should solve all problems and leave humans with only one responsibility- following His rules.
The Natural Law Theory
Unlike the DCT, the natural law theory focuses on human reason and nature in determining right or wrong. In simpler terms, what is in harmony with nature is moral and what does not conform to nature is evil (Houlgate, 2017). For instance, alcohol consumption is not wrong because God forbids it. It is wrong because it leads to liver cirrhosis, violence, and misery. The main difference between DCT and the natural law theory is that the DCT is universal. According to DCT, God’s laws apply to all people and all contexts regardless of cultural, ethnic, or geographical location differences.
Natural laws are not universal. They remain highly dependent on a person’s reasoning. For instance, same-sex marriages are not acceptable across all societies. However, it depends on personal opinion and views in determining whether it is evil or not. Quintessentially, the natural law theory emphasizes uniting human actions with nature. In this context, whatever humans do must foster peace, harmony unity with the environment (Crowe&Lee, 2019).The problem with the natural law theory is that it has two prime variations. On one side, natural law theorists claim the existence of a deity who creates the laws of nature. On the other hand, atheist supporters of this theory claim that obedience to natural laws stems from human reasoning and logic. One principal shortcoming of nature is that it does not explicitly reveal or identify the laws or morals governing human conduct.
Christianity, Ethical theory and the environment
As a field of study, ethics refers to the analysis of values applicable to different contexts. The ethical theory is a multidimensional paradigm concerned with examining various human issues and values. In the context of the environment, the Ethical paradigm requires Christians to conserve and protect and conserve the environment as per God’s commands in the book of Genesis. Throughout history, humans are in a continuous process of developing the earth and making it a better place to live through science, information, and technology. However, these developments aiming to enhance lives have worked in making the situation worse.
In recent years, the world is witnessing drastic changes in climatic patterns and frequent disasters that cost hundreds of thousands of human lives. These trends stem from rapid industrialization, pollution, and environmental degradation. As recognized by most international environmental organizations point out that the current threat posed by climate change can wipe out humanity if not immediately addressed. Arguably, Christians have failed in taking care of the environment. It is surprising that although most Christians claim the responsibility of taking care of the environment. However, many of them disregard policies about environmental conservation. Most environmentalists blame environmental degradation on religions like Christianity that place humans at the center of earthly affairs rather than nature. In this context, Christians utilize natural resources without regard to the environment as they only focus on their needs.
In another light, Christianity provides a foundation for environmental preservation as it is also a source of virtue. Christianity asserts that humans are born according to God’s image and likeness. For Christians, God is the source of all good things seen on earth. Christians, as children of God, should conserve and preserve the environment. Other religions like Buddhism and Daoism have inculcated environmental conservation aspects in practice. Christianity should follow suit and provide a discourse focusing on current environmental concerns like climate change and pollution. Christian virtue should make the earth a better place rather than the unending preoccupation with the afterlife.
Reference
Al-Attar, Mariam. “Metaphysics of divine command theory.” The Routledge Companion to Islamic Philosophy (2015): 315.
Crowe, Jonathan, and Constance Youngwon Lee, eds. Research Handbook on Natural Law Theory. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019.
Harrison, Gerald K. “Divine Command Theory and Horrendous Deeds: a Reply to Wielenberg.” Sophia 57, no. 1 (2018): 173-187.
Harrison, Gerald K. “The Euthyphro, divine command theory and moral realism.” Philosophy 90, no. 1 (2015): 107.
Houlgate, Laurence D. “Natural Law Theory.” In Philosophy, Law and the Family, pp. 13-34. Springer, Cham, 2017.
Kawall, Jason. A history of environmental ethics. Oxford University Press, 2017.
Quinn, Philip L. “Divine command theory.” The Blackwell guide to ethical theory (2013): 81-102.
Roberson, Stephen. ““Because God Told Me So”: Divine Command Theory and Abhorrent Commands.” (2018).
