Faith and Reason

For many people, morality and religious faith go hand in hand. Moral philosophers, however, warn against relying on religious arguments in ethics.

Some turn to Plato (ca. 428–327) for support, as his dialogue Euthyphro considers whether “right” can be understood as “that which the gods command.” Socrates challenges this view by asking if conduct is right because it is commanded by a god, or if a divine command makes conduct right. 

The second view implies that a god can make unethical conduct right by commanding it. The inference that may be drawn from the first view is that if a god only commands what is right, we are able to know (and do) what is right without relying on any divine commandments.26 Therefore, god and religion are unnecessary for ethics.

The argument is logically sound, but not necessarily convincing. Plato’s reasoning does not take into account the limits on human knowledge (as to what is right), or how the moral teachings of a religious tradition may help to persuade the public to embrace a higher moral standard.

We do not need divine commands to tell us that human actions have created an environmental crisis requiring significant changes in our way of life. Yet, we may need persons motivated by religious faith to help bring about the social and personal changes required to reduce the human threat to the biosphere.

Moral philosophers are right to insist that ethical principles and decisions be justified by rational arguments, and this is why the study of ethics requires critical thinking. Relying on reason, however, does not mean that we should ignore all religious arguments, especially those that emphasize reasoning (as many do).

Therefore, I include religious arguments among the reasons given for moral presumptions concerning our care of the environment.

analogy to rule of law 
constructing presumptions
critical reasoning
environmental ethics 
ethical traditions
feelings
ethical relativism
right and good 
testing presumptions

26.  For a presentation of this argument see James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 50–53.

  Religious motivation...

Plato was inspired by the life and thinking of Socrates, and at age forty founded an academy in Athens, where Aristotle would later be a student. Plato is known for his writings on philosophy, logic, mathematics, and rhetoric, and especially for dialogues expressing the arguments of Socrates.

Socrates sought justice and goodness in Athens, and refused to promote blind loyalty to the state or simply hope in immoral life after death. He was found guilty by the Athenian senate of corrupting the minds of young people and sentence to death. Plato's Apology tells the story of his trial and execution.

Plato and Socrates were right to resist blind allegiance to any claims of moral truth, but heeding their warning does not mean we should ignore all religious arguments for what is right and good.