In this essay, I consider some philosophical interpretations of the biblical episode of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22, 1-19). I take inspiration from the opposing interpretations of Kant and Kierkegaard to outline the contrast between an autonomous morality and a heteronomous one of religious inspiration. Therefore, I highlight the difficulty of some contemporary thinkers, particularly M. Buber and E. Levinas, in giving the biblical episode a literal meaning, such as to justify violating the ethical order. Finally, I frame the biblical episode of Abraham’s sacrifice in the contemporary discussion on the limits of a theory of divine commands (DCT) and its compatibility with the ethics of natural law.
Il sacrificio di Abramo: una sfida per la teologia morale?
Andrea Aguti
2025
Abstract
In this essay, I consider some philosophical interpretations of the biblical episode of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22, 1-19). I take inspiration from the opposing interpretations of Kant and Kierkegaard to outline the contrast between an autonomous morality and a heteronomous one of religious inspiration. Therefore, I highlight the difficulty of some contemporary thinkers, particularly M. Buber and E. Levinas, in giving the biblical episode a literal meaning, such as to justify violating the ethical order. Finally, I frame the biblical episode of Abraham’s sacrifice in the contemporary discussion on the limits of a theory of divine commands (DCT) and its compatibility with the ethics of natural law.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
