Theories on Human Conduct

Outlines five different theories about human moral and immoral conduct.

This paper looks at different schools of thought regarding what motivates humans to behave morally or immorally. Utilitarianism, ethical egoism, and rationalism are just some of the theories outlined and explained.
“The Divine Command Theory states that God is the ultimate source of morality and the abandonment or lack of belief in Him results in, or is largely linked to, the many social problems in the world (Schlick, Jr 2003). It says that something is good because God wills it. His commands and instructions are also eternal or unchanging. It is understood in one of three versions: first, it applies only to particular religious communities and, therefore does not affect those outside (the weakest); second, moral behavior in itself is good and people should behave morally, therefore, limiting the theory to religious believers (a stronger version); and third, moral behavior is good and desirable because God wills it (the most popular or strongest version).”