Question

I was thinking about the idea of teleological/natural-law ethics as founded in the will of a divine power, and I thought that there would be (A) a purpose that this power had set for Itself alongside (B) purposes supposed for us, those under the shadow of that power. Now, rather than take this directly, I thought to Susan Neiman's interpretation of the universalization test (in the doctrine of the categorical imperative), wherein she said that (i) in theoretical reasoning, we were to explicitly not ask questions as if from God's point of view (no absolutely objective and rational vantage, for this is impossible for us) but (ii) to ask practical questions in terms of God: If I were in the place of God, how would I create the moral law for the good in this place?

Answer 1

The question explores the intersection of divine will and moral law, referencing Kant's categorical imperative and its rational basis for ethics, as well as Aquinas's integration of divine command with rational understanding of natural laws.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between divine will and moral law within teleological or natural-law ethics suggests that (A) there may be a divine purpose alongside (B) purposes defined for humanity. This concept is closely linked to various ethical frameworks, such as deontological ethics, as championed by Immanuel Kant, who posited that moral actions are those which can be universalized through the categorical imperative.

Kant's approach avoids viewing morality from a God-like objective standpoint, focusing instead on rational universality. On the other hand, philosophers like Thomas Aquinas in his discussion of eternal, natural, human, and divine laws, bridge the gap between divine commands and rationality by suggesting that human reason can discern natural laws. These natural laws are part of the divine order and indicate that moral values have an objective basis in the natural world, aligning with ethical naturalism.