Modified Divine Command Theory: Robert Merrihew Adams on the Relation between Divine Command and Moral Obligation

Abstract

Divine command theory is hitherto faced with some problems such as Euthyphro problem and moral arbitrariness. Robert Merrihew Adams tries to defend this theory by proposing a new form of it. He expresses that this theory can explain only moral obligation not moral goodness. First, using semantic method, he analyzes the meaning of moral obligation. Then, he tries to understand the nature of moral obligation by determining the best candidate which can play the semantic role of it. From his view, interpersonal and social property of moral obligation is its most important semantic feature. The best candidate for this role is divine commands, because they have some special properties. For example, if you violate them you are guilty and they also have objectivity. Following Kripke-Putnam theory, Adams asserts that the relation between divine command and rightness/wrongness of action is like the relation between water and H2O. Accordingly, moral wrongness is identified with love God commands and it has metaphysical necessity in result.

Keywords

• divine command theory
• moral obligation
• semantics
• identification
• adams
• kripke-putnam theory of reference