Overview

In the first book wholly concerned with divine authority, Mark C. Murphy explores the extent of God's rule over created rational beings. The author challenges the view-widely supported by theists and nontheists alike-that if God exists, then humans must be bound by an obligation of obedience to this being. He demonstrates that this view, the ""authority thesis,"" cannot be sustained by any of the arguments routinely advanced on its behalf, including those drawn from perfect being theology, metaethical theory, normative principles, and even Scripture and tradition. After exposing the inadequacies of the various arguments for the authority thesis, he develops his own solution to the problem of whether, and to what extent, God is authoritative.For Murphy, divine authority is a contingent matter: while created rational beings have decisive reason to subject themselves to the divine rule, they are under divine authority only insofar as they have chosen to allow God's decisions to take the place of their own in their practical reasoning. The author formulates and defends his arguments for this view, and notes its implications for understanding the distinctiveness of Christian ethics.

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9780801440304

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Reviews

""In this book, Mark C. Murphy explores the question of God's rule over created beings. He challenges the view-widely held by theists and non-theist alike'that, if God exists, human beings must be bound by obligations of obedience to Him.' He argues that this view-what he calls the 'authority thesis'-is not sustained by any of the arguments usually made in its behalf... The whole book is argued with admirable courage, rigor, and thoroughness.""-Phillip E. Devine, The Thomist, April 2003 ""The topic of divine authority has not been addressed much at all in recent years, and no work of which I am aware comes even close to the depth and creativity that this excellent book exhibits... Murphy's book, then, is one of those rare achievements-a breaking of genuinely new ground that lives up to its promise. It is a superb text that is likely to serve, and that ought to serve, as the seminal work on which discussion of divine authority will centre for years to come.""-Thomas P. Flint, Religious Studies ""Murphy's book on the nature and extent of God's rule over human beings is a welcome addition to an impressive series... While those without familiarity with philosophical argumentation will find this book to be very difficult reading, readers willing to follow Murphy's arguments carefully will find the experience valuable and thought-provoking.""-James Beilby, Religious Studies Review, July 2003. "" I recommend his excellent book very highly to all philosophers of religion. And even moral and political philosophers who are not interested in religion are, I think, likely to find parts of it worth studying.""-Philip L. Quinn, Philosophical Quarterly, January 2004 ""Mark C. Murphy's An Essay on Divine Authority is the best thing that's been written on the topic for a long time. It is religiously serious, thoroughly informed by the relevant historical and contemporary literature, philosophically rigorous, and full of intellectual imagination of a very high order. I have no doubt whatsoever that all informed discussions of the topic in the future will take Murphy's book into account. It breaks new ground.""-Nicholas Wolterstorff, Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology,Yale University ""An Essay on Divine Authority breaks new ground. It contains a great deal of fresh and original work. Mark Murphy makes a very strong case and his arguments are direct and powerful.""-Philip L. Quinn, University of Notre Dame ""This pioneering work explores the idea of divine authority in greater depth than any other recent study known to me. Though I disagree with some of Murphy's arguments and conclusions , they expand the horizon of my thinking about the subject. The book is a really important contribution to the philosophy of religious ethics.""-Robert Merrihew Adams, Yale University

I recommend his excellent book very highly to all philosophers of religion. And even moral and political philosophers who are not interested in religion are, I think, likely to find parts of it worth studying. -Philip L. Quinn, Philosophical Quarterly, January 2004

Author Information

Mark C. Murphy is Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. He is the author of Natural Law and Practical Rationality, Natural Law in Jurisprudence and Politics, and Philosophy of Law, and editor of Alasdair MacIntyre.

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