Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

Robert M. Adams is a Christian thinker who tries to propose, in philosophical methods, a theistic framework for ethics. Since it is not based on particular religious beliefs, it is compatible to different forms of theistic ethics, including forms of Jewish and Islamic as well as Christian ethics. So, in this framework, moral obligations are explained on belief in God, which is the common principle among all divine religions, as infinite Good, beauty and love, and other things are excellent and admirable insofar as they resemble God. In Adams’ thought, loving the Good has the fundamental role in making ideal life and the virtue or excellence is its necessary qualification. In his moral theory, all virtues are moral and intrinsically excellent, so everyone plays a role in creating ideal life. The aim of this article is to elucidate the image of a morally ideal life in Adams’ thoughts. Since the analysis of this image is not possible except to explain Adams’ moral theory and also his idea on the meaning and the status of infinite good and excellence, they will be elucidated here. In this regard, the pluralist role of values and focus on goodness are emphasized.

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