The Moral Argument

Does our moral awareness come from God?

Kant’s moral argument

• There is an objective moral law that we must obey – The categorical imperative – Determine by reason alone – Doing our duty for duty’s sake

Kant’s moral argument

• We are required to attain the summum bonum (the highest good) – Reason tells us that obedience should bring about the summum bonum – But sometimes our obedience can lead to misinterpretation • This can lead to more suffering – The summum bonum must involve both perfect virtue and perfect happiness

Kant’s moral argument

• We can only be obliged to do something that we can actually do – Kant’s assumption – We must be able to fulfil our obligation

Kant’s moral argument

• We cannot reach the summum bonum with the assistance of God – We are not the cause of the world – We do not have the power to achieve SB – Even if we could achieve perfect morality we cannot guarantee connecting it with perfect happiness

Kant’s moral argument

• Since we are obliged to attain the summum bonum, God must exist to ensure that we can achieve that which we are obliged to do.

– If we cannot attain the SB on our own we need help – It follows that such help must be the best and must therefore be God

Agreement with Kant

• • • John Hick – To recognise moral claims as taking precedence over all other interests is, implicitly, to believe in a reality of some kind, other than the natural world, that is superior to oneself and entitled to one’s obedience… This is at least a move in the direction of God. John Hick Philosophy of religion, 1990 H P Owen – ‘It is impossible to think of a command without thinking of a commander’ Aquinas – God wrote the laws into the design of the world

Freud’s criticisms

• • • If there is no moral obligation the argument collapses If we do not need to attain that which is beyond our grasp we do not need God Freud claimed that our apparent obligation comes from the mind

Freud’s criticisms

• Our sense of moral obligation comes from: • • Our super ego that is our subconscious It is due to a conflict – Between our desires and – Society and parents – Parents teach morals E.G.

Subconscious desires Murder Super ego ego Society demands Care Conscious mediator

Other objections to Kant

• • People disagree as to what the moral laws are • • • E.g. should you tell a lie to protect a person’s life?

The categorical imperative says no W D Ross argues that the life is of more importance Cultural relativists • Morality is based on cultural expectations

Other objections to Kant

• • Erikson and Fromm • Moral awareness is based on that what is of value to us Brian Davies • • Not illogical to aim for something beyond our grasp Does not have to be the Classical theistic God who helps

Putting it altogether

• Write bullet points that show how you would go about answering the following exam question: a) b) Explain Kant’s version of the moral argument (33) ‘The moral argument proves nothing more than the desirability of there being a God.’ Discuss (17)