Is there a Basis for Loving All People?

Many ethical systems hold that there are obligations to love and value all human beings. This essay assumes the existence of such universal obligations, and argues that a divine command meta-ethical theory provides a better account of these obligations than secular meta-ethical theories, such as the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of psychology and theology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 78 - 90
Main Author Evans, C. Stephen
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published La Mirada Sage Publications Ltd. (UK) 22.03.2006
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects
Christianity
Love
Psychological research
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Summary:Many ethical systems hold that there are obligations to love and value all human beings. This essay assumes the existence of such universal obligations, and argues that a divine command meta-ethical theory provides a better account of these obligations than secular meta-ethical theories, such as the evolutionary biology and contractual meta-ethical accounts that are favored by many psychologists. God's command to humans to love their neighbors as themselves not only explains the existence of such obligations, but also gives a plausible account of the psychological motivation for acting in accord with such a duty.
ISSN:0091-6471
2328-1162
DOI:10.1177/009164710603400108