command theory

imperative theory

(associated with Jeremy Bentham and John Austin) is based on the notion of commands issued by a sovereign. Bentham did not insist that the sovereign power be single, indivisible and answerable to no one. The habit of obedience to the commands of the sovereign is an important aspect of the theory. The basic idea involves the incorporation of sanctions, which are penalties laid down in a law for the contravention of its provisions. While explaining criminal law reasonably adequately, it is much more difficult to incorporate aspects of civil law.

See HARTIAN JURISPRUDENCE, KELSINIAN JURISPRUDENCE, REALISM.

Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006

References in periodicals archive ?

With regard to Divine command theory, Einstein relates, "I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own--a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty."

GOD'S HAND IN ILLNESS

There are short sections, both on the prohibitions inherent in law and an exposition of divine command theory, where some inclined to an ethic based primarily on law may find themselves wishing for a more nuanced rendering of their position.

Designed for Good: Recovering the Idea, Language, and Practice of Virtue

While Astell held a divine command theory, and gave priority to duty, Broad argues that she is best understood as providing a theory of virtue.

The Philosophy of Mary Astell: An Early Modern Theory of Virtue

Lewis cites the Grenadian saying: "If you are not a Christian, then you must be a beast." Yet he does a superb job of defending secular ethics and critiquing religious morality: he discusses the Divine Command Theory (if God commands a certain kind of behavior, we must carry it out), the Euthyphro dilemma (is an action good because the gods command it, or do the gods condone an action because it is good in itself?), Natural Law theory, and so forth.

Apostate! No More Bazoodee: A Grenadian Quest to Think Outside the Box

In addition, it includes detailed critiques of natural law theory and theological voluntarism (e.g., divine command theory).

Murphy, Mark C.: God and Moral Law: On the Theistic Explanation of Morality

The following tool may be suggested which we shall call the Labour Command Theory of Wage Differentials (4) Cost of production may be split into wages, rent and profit.

Impact of hike in U.S. H-1B/L-1 visa fees for technically-skilled employees of foreign companies: the U.S. administration step towards indigenization with emphasis on equal pay for equal work is commendable

This essay shows three things: first, that we cannot comply with a command from God to believe in God; second, that God cannot command us to believe in God; and, third, that the divine command theory is false.

Ratio: Vol. 28, No. 2, June 2015

For Chapter 4, "Divine Command Theory Ethics," Kowalski first summarizes the horror film Frailty (2001) and uses it, along with the films Evan Almighty (2007), and The Boondock Saints (1999) as films that are "expressive of themes relevant to divine command theory (p.

Kowalski, Dean A.: Moral Theory at the Movies: An Introduction to Ethics

For me, atheism is the rejection of unsubstantiated supernatural beliefs, especially divine command theory.

Free will, robots, wasps, atheophobia

Part III then explores Kierkegaard's strategies for showing the moral limits of autonomy (whether individual or social) and sketches the Dane's own divine command theory of moral obligation.

Robert Stern: Understanding Moral Obligation. Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard

But you won't find adherence to a divine command theory of meta-ethics among them." Christopher Hallquist rejoins:

God made me do it: there has been some interesting debate in the blogosphere over Sam Harris' contention that a divine command theory of ethics manifests "a psychopathic and psychotic moral attitude."

Many students subscribe to the widely held view that what is good is what God approves of or commands and what is bad is what God disapproves of or forbids, known as the divine command theory of ethics.