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Single Idea 8004

[from 'The Laws' by Plato, in 28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / d. God decrees morality ]

Full Idea

The divine is important in 'The Laws' because it is identified with law; to be obedient before the law is to be obedient before god.

Gist of Idea

In 'The Laws', to obey the law is to be obey god

Source

report of Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE]) by Alasdair MacIntyre - A Short History of Ethics Ch.6

Book Reference

MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'A Short History of Ethics' [Routledge 1967], p.55


A Reaction

Christian conservativism in a nutshell. Plato is rejecting his view in Euthyphro that piety (etc.) must precede the will of the gods. The obvious problem is bad laws, made by corrupt rulers.