Single Idea 6255

[catalogued under 28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / a. Divine morality]

Full Idea

Why may not the Deity have something of a superior kind, analogous to our moral sense, essential to him?

Gist of Idea

Why may God not have a superior moral sense very similar to ours?

Source

Francis Hutcheson (Treatise 4: The Moral Sense [1728], §I)

Book Reference

'British Moralists 1650-1800 Vol. 1', ed/tr. Raphael,D.D. [Hackett 1991], p.313


A Reaction

This is Plato's notion of the gods, as beings who are profoundly wise, and understand all the great moral truths, but are not the actual originators of those truths. The idea that God creates morality actually serves to undermine morality.