Kierkegaard's Ethic of Love Divine Commands and Moral Obligations

by Evans, C. Stephen

• ISBN13: 9780199206049
• ISBN10: 019920604X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-12
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

C. Stephen Evans interprets Kierkegaard as presenting a form of divine command theory of moral obligation, similar to accounts developed by Robert Adams and Philip Quinn. The account understands the relation humans have with a loving God as making possible the greatest human good, and as creating those unique obligations we designate as moral. God's commands should be obeyed, not because of fear of divine punishment, but out of love and gratitude for the good that God has bestowed on humans in creating them and giving them eternal life with God as their intended destiny.

Author Biography

C. Stephen Evans is Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Baylor University.

Table of Contents

1. God and Moral Obligation: Is a Link Possible?	1	(33)
2. The Ethical as a 'Stage' of Existence: Either/Or and Radical Choice	34	(27)
3. 'The Ethical' in Fear and Trembling	61	(24)
4. The Ethical Task as the Human Task	85	(27)
5. Divine Commands as the Basis for Moral Obligation	112	(28)
6. The Humanistic Character of Commanded Love	140	(16)
7. Divine Commands: How Given and To Whom?	156	(24)
8. Who Is My Neighbour? Can Love Be a Duty?	180	(23)
9. Neighbour-Love, Natural Loves, and Social Relations	203	(20)
10. Contemporary Meta-Ethical Alternatives: Evolutionary Naturalism	223	(27)
11. Contemporary Meta-Ethical Alternatives: Humanistic Naturalism	250	(30)
12. Contemporary Meta-Ethical Alternatives: Relativism and Nihilism	280	(19)
13. Conclusions: Divine Command Morality in a Pluralistic Society	299	(34)
Bibliography	333	(10)
Index	343