Phil 201

All the answers will be in the book :

     Louis P. Pojman, How Should We Live?: An Introduction to Ethics

 (Belmont, California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2005).

Instructions: Read the pages in the Pojman book that discuss Divine Command Theory (pp. 93–98) and then answer the following questions.

1. Explain the three claims that make up divine command theory, providing examples when necessary to explain. (See p. 94).

2. Explain the autonomy thesis (p.94), and the argument that is presented by the theist against this thesis (p. 97, specifically the response offered by Craig).

3. On p. 98, Pojman claims that "religious ethics will be more likely to advocate strong altruism, whereas secular codes will emphasize reciprocal altruism." Why does Pojman conclude this from his discussion of Divine command theory? IN other words, what reasons in the paragraphs leading up to this claim on page 98 does Pojman give for thinking that this claim is true?

4. On pages 98–103 Pojman presents a series of reasons as to why religion might be beneficial to ethics. Choose one of the 6 reasons Pojman provides and analyze it. That is, explain it concisely in your own words, and then explain why you agree or disagree with the claims made.