Higher RMPS

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Higher RMPS

• Lesson 2
• The divine command theory

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Learning intentions

• After todays lesson you will be able to
• explain the divine command theory
• evaluate arguments for and against the divine
  command theory.

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The divine command theory

• The divine command theory is a guiding moral
  principle which states that something is
  right/wrong if God says so and should be obeyed
  because God commands it.
• If God says you should do something you should do
  it.
• This is a meta-ethical theory because it is
  concerned with why things are right and wrong.

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• Most religious people would argue that God is
• all loving
• all powerful
• all good.
• Therefore anything God commands must be obeyed
  because God is always right.

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Philosophical enquiry
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Learning check

• Explain the divine command theory in your own
  words. 2KU
• Explain why the divine command theory is known as
  a
• meta-ethical theory. 2KU
• Give two reasons why a religious person might
  agree with the divine command theory. 4AE
• Give two reasons why a religious person might
  disagree with
• the divine command theory. 4AE
• Give two reasons why a non-religious person might
  disagree
• with the divine command theory. 4AE

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Learning Mat
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Quick recap

• The divine command theory is a guiding moral
  principle which states that something is
  right/wrong if God says so and should be obeyed
  because God commands it.