Single Idea 23178

[catalogued under 28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / b. Euthyphro question]

Full Idea

The divine law commands certain things because they are good and forbids others because they are evil, while others are good because they are prescribed, and others evil because they are forbidden.

Gist of Idea

Divine law commands some things because they are good, while others are good because commanded

Source

Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], II-II Q57 2)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'On Law, Morality and Politics', ed/tr. Baumgarth,W. /Regan R. [Hackett 1988], p.140


A Reaction

This is a fifty-fifty response to the Euthyphro dilemma, but it seems to leave the theological puzzle of the source of the goodness which is prescribed because it is in fact good.