2. SE 4 Working Principles Flashcards
what are the four working principles
patti rakes potato patches
Pragmatism
Relativism
Positivism
Personalism
what is pragmatism and how is it intended to be applied
- PRAGMATISM. To be right, the outcome of the moral decision must work, and work towards that end which is love.
E.g. what is intended as an agapeistic act may lead to longer term problems. Such as sending resources to struggling countries may lead to economic shortages for the country who sent the aid. (therefore not pragmatic - as It emphasizes the practical consequences of an action)
what is relativism and how is it intended to be applied + 2 quotes
- RELATIVISM. acknowledges that moral judgments and actions are context-dependent - ethical decisions should not be determined by absolute principles but should consider the unique circumstances and needs of the individuals involved.
Fletcher ‘the situationist avoids words like ‘never’ and ‘perfect’ and ‘always’ as he avoids the plague’
No fixed rules, just decisions made relative to Christian love Fletcher - Situation ethics ‘relativises the absolute it does not absolutize the relative’
what is positivism and how is it intended to be applied
POSITIVISM.
it begins with belief in the reality and importance of love and decisions must be based primarily on faith, not reason.
This principle encourages individuals to act proactively and creatively to resolve moral dilemmas and promote positive outcomes.
but rather one has faith first that there is a God and then uses reason to justify faith. This is known as Theological positivism.
what is personalism and how is it intended to be applied
- PERSONALISM. The legalist puts the law first whereas the situationist puts the people first
Personalism emphasizes the intrinsic value and worth of individuals. It suggests that moral decisions should prioritize the dignity and rights of each person involved.
The god of the liberal tradition is a personal God with a relationship with humanity. Fletcher uses St Pauls ideas in Corinthians 13 to draw out the idea that people should show communal love.
How are the 4 working principles intended to be applied?
intended to be applied in a dynamic and flexible manner, depending on the specific circumstances and needs of each situation.
Situation ethics rejects rigid moral rules and instead advocates for a nuanced and contextual approach to decision-making, guided by the principles of pragmatism, relativism, positivism, and personalism. The aim is to promote the most loving and beneficial outcome in each particular situation while respecting the inherent worth and dignity of the individuals involved.
Example of application Pragmatism
The case of the Christian girl who was asked to sleep with a spy to save thousands of lives in America - the logistics of whether this patriotic prostitution would work must be taken into consideration and whether it results in the most loving and beneficial outcome.
Example of application Relativism +quote
Fletcher gives the example of Mrs Bergmeier who was held in a prisoner of war camp in Ukraine and fell pregnant by a guard in order to be freed and returned to her husband
The morality of any act is content dependent
‘whether any form of sex is good or evil depends on whether love is fully served’ - Fletcher
Example of application Positivism
Bonhoeffer was a Christian minister who was involved in a plot to bomb Hitler in WW2 for a loving end to save millions of lives.
he set aside the do not kill principle for himself but applied it for the rest of humanity as killing hitler would save many lives
Example of application Personalism
In the case of the Boon trail - a lady had to kill her crying baby so that the rest of the camp would not be discovered by the enemy.
Personalism emphasizes the intrinsic value and worth of all the other individuals.
