Divine Morality: A Comparative Perspective on Religion and Secular Ethics

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 9 September 2024 The Fundamental Premise In discussing morality from an Islamic viewpoint, it is crucial to start with the presumption that the Quran is the word of Allah, the Creator of the Universe, who possesses absolute knowledge and power over all His creation. The Quran is believed to convey the ultimate truth, free from doubt. This presumption can be tested and potentially disproven if: 1. The Quran contains contradictions, logical inconsistencies, or fallacies. 2. Any verifiable claims within the Quran, such as those related to the creation of the universe or biological processes, are proven false by established science. However, the consistency and alignment of the Quran's teachings with scientific discoveries have supported the premise that the Quran is indeed a source of absolute truth. Thus, the belief that the Quran contains divine guidance remains a reasonable and valid foundation for discussions on morality. The Origins of Morality According to the Quran, God has provided moral and religious guidance to humanity since the time of Adam, culminating in the revelations of the Quran. This divine guidance serves as a comprehensive moral code, offering a path to righteous living. The Quran's claim of being inimitable, with knowledge that could only come from a divine source, further solidifies its role as a unique guide to morality. While sceptics may question the Quran's teachings, the evidence supporting its claims is compelling. The burden of proof lies in demonstrating that humanity, without divine intervention, could independently establish the same moral framework. Absent such proof, the Quran's moral code remains a convincing argument for its divine origin. Morality in Philosophy Philosophers like Bentham, Locke, Hume, and Mill have attempted to explain morality through concepts like utility, self-interest, and social contracts. Bentham, for instance, posited that human behaviour is governed by the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, leading to a principle of utility that measures actions by their ability to maximise happiness. However, these philosophical approaches often reduce morality to self-interest and fail to account for moral principles that require selflessness and sacrifice. St. Thomas Aquinas and others have suggested that moral norms can be derived from principles like love of neighbour, but they struggled to provide clear examples of how these deductions are made. As a result, many moral rules appear counterintuitive, requiring individuals to act against their immediate self-interest, such as caring for ageing parents or avoiding lying and cheating. The Golden Rule and Kantian Ethics The Golden Rule, a principle in all religions, advises treating others as one would like to be treated. This empathetic approach to morality is intuitive and widely understood. Immanuel Kant formulated the same rule in the language of a modern philosopher by formulating the supreme principle of morality, which dictates that one should act according to maxims that could be universally applied. Kant's deontological approach, which emphasises duty and rule-based ethics, is identical to religion’s approach, which is deontological or rule-based, and every command of God is a categorical imperative. Kant argued that adherence to moral principles beyond personal utility would be irrational without belief in an afterlife or a supreme being. His categorical imperative, therefore, presupposes a divine framework within which moral actions are meaningful. Other philosophers, limited by the hypothetical imperative, have been unable to define morality beyond self-interest. Nietzsche and the Concept of "Master Morality" Friedrich Nietzsche critiqued religious morality as "slave morality," favouring humility, kindness, and sympathy, in contrast to the "master morality" of the ruling classes, which values power and strength. However, the consistent presence of "slave morality" across societies, despite being governed by the powerful, suggests a universal, divinely inspired moral code. Nietzsche's "master morality," which emphasises strength and nobility, does not contradict religious values when these qualities are directed toward justice and righteousness. The Outcomes of Political Revolutions Versus Religious Movements History shows that political revolutions, despite their noble intentions, often fail to achieve lasting moral outcomes. For instance, the French, Russian, and Chinese revolutions aimed to promote equality and justice but resulted in authoritarian regimes that oppressed the people they sought to liberate. In contrast, religious movements have historically promoted the rights and dignity of the poor and oppressed, leading to enduring moral and social changes. Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, for example, introduced teachings that emphasized compassion, justice, and equality, challenging existing social hierarchies and creating moral frameworks that continue to influence societies today. The Dangers of Moral Relativism Jonathan Haidt's story from The Happiness Hypothesis illustrates the potential pitfalls of moral relativism. When moral judgments are seen as relative, behaviours that were once taboo, like incest, may become normalised. This erosion of absolute moral values can lead to the breakdown of social structures, as seen in the increasing acceptance of homosexuality and other behaviours once considered immoral. Without a firm moral foundation, societies risk descending into moral chaos. Psychological Insights on Human Nature Research by Dan Baston at the University of Kansas reveals that most people are moral hypocrites, unaware of their own ethical lapses. This finding supports the idea that individuals are likely to act in self-interest when unobserved without external moral guidance, such as that provided by religion. Religion-Based Morality Religion promotes absolute, transcendental values that provide stability and permanence to the moral order. As secularism and moral relativism gain ground, society has seen an increase in behaviours like vulgarity, obscenity, and substance abuse, alongside the normalisation of previously taboo relationships. These changes undermine human dignity and the nobility of character. Atheists, despite rejecting religion, are often influenced by the moral precepts embedded in their society, which are derived from religious teachings. While atheists may reject religious beliefs, they often adhere to moral principles rooted in religion. This highlights the enduring influence of religious morality on human behaviour. The Positive Contribution of Moral Philosophers Moral philosophers have made significant contributions to making morality normative, often driven by rational, secular thinking. Many atheists, who internalise moral precepts from their upbringing and environment, exhibit strong moral tendencies and sensitivity. Great literature, often written by morally sensitive atheists, has also played a crucial role in raising awareness of human suffering and promoting social justice. However, the rise of atheism brings the risk of moral relativism, which can erode the foundation of absolute moral values. Without a divine framework, morality becomes subjective and potentially unstable. The Atheist Perspective Secular moral philosophers and humanists argue that morality can develop through rational discourse, empathy, and social contracts independent of religion. They suggest that religious morality is one of many ways humans have institutionalised moral values. However, the theory that humanity developed morality without divine guidance lacks documentary evidence and demonstrable capability. Atheist scholars may propose theories, but these are not proof of how morality could have evolved independently of religion. Conclusion The comparison between the outcomes of political revolutions and religious movements suggests that religion has historically been more effective in promoting and sustaining moral values that protect the weak and oppressed. Despite the contributions of moral philosophers, religious morality remains unparalleled in its ability to prescribe durable, valuable ethical principles. The claim of the Quran that God alone has given humanity the criterion of right and wrong is both plausible and persuasive. The enduring influence of religious morality demonstrates its unique role in shaping a just and compassionate society. ---- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/divine-morality-perspective-religion-secular-ethics/d/133159 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism