How to summarize the tension between Theology, Moral Philosophy and Law?

Eric_PK

Theology is really about the study of god. Most religions assert that moral guidance is part of their teachings, though in practice their followers tend to accept some of the teachings and not others (the bible, for example is fine with slavery, but most christians are not…). But theology really isn’t about morality, since theology says “don’t do because god doesn’t like it and you’ll go to hell”. Or, to put it another way, following the rules is not about morality.

Moral philosophy – or the study of ethics – is about what is moral, and while there are lots of discussions about fine points, there is also a lot of agreement about what is good and what is bad.

Law is about controlling behavior, and laws are written by those who are in charge in a society. Sometimes they have good motives (the creators of the US constitution, for example), but many times they have bad or ulterior motives. Some laws align with ethics (laws against murder, for example), some are against practices that are ethically neutral (drug use and prostitution in most cases), and some allow practices that are ethically wrong (tons of corporate law).

SmartLX

Theology presupposes the existence of a particular god, and attempts to discern its nature and its wishes so that we may please it and serve its purposes. Since the supposed purposes of gods usually involve the behaviour of people, theology often attempts to impose divine authority on morality.

Moral philosophy is a more general field which need not make any such assumptions. It works to formulate, evaluate and improve moral and ethical systems using objective bases and criteria which nevertheless may themselves be challenged and changed. Ultimately it’s a results-based pursuit; that which works sticks.

Legal systems are codified, enforced sets of rules based ultimately on moral philosophy, and in some cases on theology (sharia law, for instance). The field of law works within these systems, pursuing ways to improve the enforcement and the laws themselves.

The difference is that the goal of theology is not human welfare, and neither are laws based on theology rather than moral philosophy.