Morality no longer makes sense

This argument is used in the debate Does God exist?.

This argument is an objection to If God existed, there should be clear evidence of it..

Keywords: God

Summary

If we had clear proof that God exists, we would act in the knowledge that God is constantly observing and judging us. Our moral conduct would then be dictated by the fear of punishment, or by the hope of God's love, and not because we consider our actions good in themselves. Morality would then be meaningless.

Quotes

“Suppose that [...] nature had given us this power of mind and these lights that we would like to possess [...], what would appear to be the result? [We would undoubtedly avoid transgressing the law, we would do what is ordered; but, as the intention according to which we must act cannot be inspired by any order, while [......] reason would no longer seek in a living representation of the dignity of the law a force of resistance against the inclinations, most actions, outwardly in conformity with the law, would be dictated by fear, and almost none by duty, and they would lose that moral value which alone makes the price of the person and even of the world in the eyes of supreme wisdom. As long as man's nature remains as it is today, his conduct would degenerate into a pure mechanism, where, as in a puppet show, everything would gesticulate well, but we would look in vain for life in the characters.”

Emmanuel Kant, Critique of Practical Reason, 1788.

References

Justifications

Objections

Some believers think they have proof of God's existence
Fear of God's judgment is the cornerstone of Christian morality

Parent debate