---
title: "Divine Command Theory: Ethics Explained | Model Diplomat"
description: "Divine command theory asserts that morality is based on God's commands, making it crucial for ethics discussions in UPSC GS4 and philosophical debates."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/divine-command-theory"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Divine command theory is a metaethical position holding that an action is morally right or wrong solely because God commands or forbids it.
- How does divine command theory answer the Euthyphro dilemma?
- What is the difference between divine command theory and natural law theory?
- Why is divine command theory important for UPSC GS4?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Divine command theory is a metaethical position holding that an action is morally right or wrong solely because God commands or forbids it.

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In 1992, Saudi Arabia's Basic Law of Governance declared the Qur'an and the Sunnah the kingdom's constitution, institutionalising divine command as the foundation of its legal and moral order.

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