The Metaphysics of the Seven Formulations of the Moral Argument

by Robert Whittemore

Tulane Studies in Philosophy (Volume 3, pp. 133-161) 1954
  • Philosophy of Religion

What is the moral argument? Is it, strictly speaking, an argument at all? In all the discussion to which the Critical Philosophy has given rise, no questions have received answers more uncritical than these. Commentators have invariably seen no more in the moral argument than a plea that God must exist to insure the attainment of that happiness of which the virtuous man is supposedly worthy. They have, in general, declined to consider the argument qua argument on the grounds that only arguments theoretical in nature are deserving of critical analysis and evaluation.