[Avodah] Categorical imperative

[Yitzhak Grossman]

On Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:53:46 -0400
David Riceman <driceman at att.net> wrote:

> Yitzhak Grossman wrote:
> > Which Rishonim expound Divine command theory?
> Rashi Berachos 33b s.v. "Midosav".

http://hebrewbooks.org/shas.aspx?mesechta=1&daf=33b&format=pdf

Rashi says there that the purpose of the commandments is "to impose on
Yisrael the decrees of His edicts ("huke gezerosav") to publicize
("le'hodia") that they are His servants and the keepers of His
commandments and the edicts of his decrees ("gezeros hukosav")".

I don't see much evidence in this for a strong version of DCT:

"A strong version of Divine Command Theory includes the claim that
moral statements (x is obligatory) are defined in terms of theological
statements (x is commanded by God)."

As to the weakest version of DCT:

"At the other end of the spectrum is the view that the commands of God
are coextensive with the demands of morality. God’s commands do not
determine morality, but rather inform us about its content."

it is trivial, and surely incontestable, that Judaism goes at least
this far.

[Citations from http://www.iep.utm.edu/d/divine-c.htm ]

Yitzhak
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