2. SE: Agape Flashcards
what is Agape
Jesus’ message of reconciliation between men
Agape: A Greek word which defines communal love based on mutual acceptance - agape destroys the alienation that fletcher believed modern society creates.
Agape St Paul + quote
In St Pauls message to the Corinthians he appeals for them to unite their church in brotherly affection towards Jesus.
Paul describes agape as “a more excellent way”.
Quote anecdote from Fletcher’s book
in ‘Situation Ethics’ he gives the anecdote of a cab driver who refuses to vote for the same party as the rest of his family - he say ‘there are times when a man has to push his principles aside and do the right thing’
Agapeism
The use of agape as the test for making moral decisions.
what is a legalistic ethical theory
e.g. Judaism and Christianity, focused on either Natural Law or strictly adhering to Divine Command) - stops people from making individual rational moral decisions
what is Antinomianism - (quote from Fletcher)
literally means ‘against law’
(the idea that you are free, thanks to God’s grace Making a moral decision is a matter of spontaneity -
Fletcher ‘it is literally unprincipled. They are anarchic’
what is a situational approach
situational approach, means entering moral dilemmas with the principles of their tradition,
however, they are willing to set these aside if love seems better served doing so.
evidence that anything is justified if love is better served by it. quote
Fletcher ‘ a situationist follows a moral law or violates it according to love’s need’.
All moral decisions are hypotheticals
e.g. giving to charity is good if…
origins of agape in the New Testament and its religious development in the writing of Fletcher
while the origins of agape can be traced back to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, American Theologian - Joseph Fletcher’s work in the 20th century further developed its application in ethical decision-making.
He believed that love, when practiced selflessly and with a focus on promoting the well-being of others, (and as the guiding principle) can guide individuals in making ethically sound decisions.
His writings sought to provide a framework for applying the principle of agape to various ethical dilemmas, emphasizing the need for a flexible approach to moral judgments.
Agape Bible
Matthew 22:34-40
one day a Pharisees came to Jesus christ and asked for the greatest commandment :
‘Love your lord your god with all your heart with all your soul with all your mind with all your strength’ and ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’
fletcher quote on love <3
‘love seeks the deepest welfare and happiness of most people in that situation’
