Does Deism teach any morality?
Deism certainly has as one of its main focuses an emphasis on morality. However, most Deists believe that a practical morality can be derived from reason without the need to appeal to religious revelation or church dogma. Most Deists believe humans are too innately noble to require supernatural coercion and threats of eternal damnation to behave morally. As for the development of one morality, this is tricky because morality can be culturally subjective. From a societal standpoint, many Deists believe the basics of John Stuart Mill’s “Harm Principle” provide an ample reason-based moral framework: “…the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cann
