Final answer:
Divine Command Theory is an ethical theory where moral norms are based on God's will, contrasting with ethical naturalism and other theories. The Euthyphro problem challenges this theory by questioning the nature of God's commands in relation to good. This theory raises questions about the source of moral understanding, be it divine, natural, or social.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical theory that holds that moral norms depend on God's will and thus find their true authority outside of human nature is known as Divine Command Theory. According to this theory, what is considered good is determined by God's commands.
This contrasts with other ethical theories like ethical naturalism, which bases moral values on natural facts, or emotivism which sees moral statements as expressions of emotion. The Euthyphro problem presents a challenge to Divine Command Theory by questioning whether something is good merely because God commands it, or if God commands it because it is inherently good.
Within the Divine Command Theory, God's authority is paramount, and moral principles are seen as deriving from divine will. However, this creates a potential issue regarding the nature of God's power and sovereignty, as it implies that there are moral laws that even God must adhere to, raising questions about omnipotence.
Different ethical systems, such as deontological theories, which include Kantian duty, posit that moral truths exist independently of their outcomes and appeal to reason rather than divine authority. In contrast, normative ethical relativism suggests that moral principles are culturally based and not absolute across different societies.
The consideration of Divine Command Theory in the context of broader ethical discourse invites reflection on the sources from which humans derive their moral understanding, whether it is through divine decree, natural order, or societal norms.