Divine Command Theory Philosophers both past and present have
sought to defend theories of ethics that are grounded in a
theistic framework. Roughly, Divine Command Theory is the view
that morality is somehow dependent upon God, and that moral
obligation consists in obedience to God’s commands. Divine
Command Theory includes the claim that morality is ultimately
based on the commands or character of God, and that the morally
right action is the one that God commands or requires. The
specific content of these divine commands varies according to
the particular religion and the particular views of the
individual divine command theorist, but all versions of the
theory hold in common the claim that morality and moral
obligations ultimately depend on God. Divine Command Theory has
been and continues to be highly controversial. It has been
criticized by numerous philosophers, including Plato, Kai
Nielsen, and J. L. Mackie. The theory also has many defenders,
both classic and contemporary, such as Thomas Aquinas, Rob