An Investigation and Criticism of the Psychological Dependence of Ethics on Religion

There are different perspectives regarding the following questions: does ethics depend on religion in practice? In other words, other than being aware of ethics, do we need any extra motivation to practice ethics? Is this motivation, religious motivation or it is should not necessarily be religious motivation and other motivations are enough as well? The perspectives regarding these subjects may be mainly divided into two groups: accordant and opponent views. The 'opponent' view, which belongs to Kant and his followers, believes not only religion does not help human to have ethical deeds, rather it harms it as well; on the other hand the 'accordant' view believes it is only religion which can compensate the existing gap between knowledge and practice. They believe not only believing in God reinforces and increases human's commitment to ethical values, rather it creates new values as well. This perspective has some defenders among Western ethical philosophers and Islamic ethical philosophers.