Which of these positions do you find yourself leaning the most towards and what are your reasons for leaning towards that position?

Your answers to each of these questions should be at least one paragraph (6-7 sentences) long, and it should show some thoughtful consideration regarding the matters raised in the questions. Your total set of answers to these questions needs to be at least 200 words.

A. This week we touched on Divine Command Theory. A central element of this theory is that God’s commands determine what is right and wrong. So, for instance, this view would say that murder is wrong because God commands against it. Do you agree with this theory, why or why not?

B. One worry with Divine Command Theory that we covered is this. Suppose that God’s commands determine what is right and wrong. Then doesn’t it follow that God could make horrible things such as murder or abusing other people good just by commanding it – and doesn’t that show that this theory of ethics is not acceptable? Do you agree with this criticism of the theory, why or why not?

C. One of the things that we will be doing each week is discussing some cases from our text Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues. Look at Case 12b on page 63. After looking at this case, answer these questions about it. First, what religious beliefs does the missionary hold? Second, do you think that the missionary’s action in this instance was ethical?

12B. The same Christian missionary next learns that once each year, as an inducement to the god of the hunt to smile upon their efforts, members of the tribe cut off someones right hand. (Whose right hand is determined quite democratically, by lottery.) The missionary is appalled by this custom and explains to the tribe that it is based on pure superstition. Is the missionarys action justifiable?

D. We have looked at several different approaches to ethics throughout this course: Cultural Relativism, Utilitarianism, Kantianism, Natural Law, Virtue Ethics, the Ethics of Care, and Divine Command Theory. At the end of this course, which of these positions do you find yourself leaning the most towards and what are your reasons for leaning towards that position?

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