2.2 Situation Ethics

Question 1

What is situation ethics?

Answer 1

A liberal christian theory of ethics which argues that the central concern of ethics whould be agape, or selfless love, which was the main message of Jesus

Question 2

What is natural law theory?

Answer 2

A religious perspective on ethics, argument that everything in the universe shows purpose given by god.

Question 3

Who theorised situation ethics?

Answer 3

Joseph Fletcher

Question 4

Who was J.A.T robinson?

Answer 4

an anglican bishop and new test scholar. Famous for writing ‘Honest to God’

Question 5

What did J.A.T Robinson believe?

Answer 5

He believed that christianity needed to become more liberal as “man (had) come of age” and could make their own decisons. Also believed that the true message of the new test was love

Question 6

What does “man come of age” mean

Answer 6

Means that humans are noq equipped with everything they need to make rational decisions for themselves, and do not need to follow an absolutist approach. Said by J.A.T Robinson

Question 7

Where does Jesus show support of situation ethics?

Answer 7

Matthew 23 Jesus condemns the pharisees for following the law so strictly, and not making moral decisions based on the situation

Question 8

What is agape?

Answer 8

Agape is a greek word meaning the greatest love, a love that is selfless and unconditional.Agape love doesn’t change we should show agape to everyone.

Question 9

What is divine command theory?

Answer 9

a theory which states that whatever God commands is good and that God’s word should be followed without question

Question 10

who was Joseph Fletcher?

Answer 10

A priest later became an athiest, who agreed with Robinson but aimed to make situation ethics clearer and simpler. He wrote a famous book called “Situation Ethics” 1966

Question 11

What 3 main points does Fletcher argue within situation Ethics?

Answer 11

• Legalism
• Antinomianism
• Situationism

Question 12

What is Legalism?

Answer 12

Strict conformity to rules and the law

Question 13

What issue does Fletcher have with legalism?

Answer 13

It is too inflexible and rules are too general to effectively apply to all situations. Believes Catholic and Protestant churches are too focused on following religious principles, that they lose sight of agape
e.g Thou shall not kill- but what about in a war?

Question 14

What is antinomianism?

Answer 14

The complete rejection of rules and argues against moral and religious norms

Question 15

What does Fletcher argue about love and justice?

Answer 15

Believes that love and justice are the same. Love is self-giving and overrides all laws, and may give way to killing (if that is most loving thing to do e.g euthanasia). Believes justice is love distributed implying there are no other laws other than the law of agape.

Question 16

What are Fletcher’s 4 working presuppositions?

Answer 16

Pragmatism- an action must work in practice
Positivism- wanting to do the right thing, not about obeying something
Personalism- human beings are more important than rules
Relativism- there are no rules, only the principle of agape

Question 17

What are Fletcher’s 6 fundamental principles?

Answer 17

• agape is the main point of reference in moral desicion making
• love overrides all other laws
• Justice is part of love, so it is moral to commit crimes if they produce love
• love has no favourite
• love is the end not the means to an end
• the loving thing to do is relative to the situation

Question 18

Strengths of situation ethics?

Answer 18

• responded to changing social and moral climate, contrasting legalistic 60s
• Provides flexibility to repsond to individual sotuations on their own merits
• Puts the situation in context, attempting to be realistic
• Gives people responsibility- man has “come of age”
• Most people agree that agape is highly desirable, intelligent and important in a moral society.

Question 19

Weaknesses of situation ethics?

Answer 19

• Consequentialist- don’t know the consequences of your decision until after you’ve made it
• Subjective- what is loving to one person might mot be loving to another
• Solely relies on agape

Question 20

How does William Barclay criticise the theory?

Answer 20

• Examples given are very far fetched- may apply to extraordinay situations but not applicable to every day life
• Gives humans too much freedom in their moral decision making, a freedom we don’t inherently want
• Any action can be justified
• Believes man is not yet rational enough to make decisions without moral
• Good is judged by the action and not by existing moral standards

Question 21

How does Fletcher respond to Barclay?

Answer 21

Says that we should follow moral principles but that sometimes we need to break them. The rule of agape is a form of guidance even though it is flexible. His presuppositions and principles aim to help make moral decisions

Question 22

What do Roman Catholics and the majority of Anglicans think of situation ethics?

Answer 22

• Even though it is rooted in christianity they reject it, because it does not accurately reflect morality in the new testament, especially on theft and adultery.
• Believe it is too individualistic to reflect the teachings of the bible

Question 23

Who is Peter Vardy?

Answer 23

A british theologian

Question 24

What does Peter Vardy say about situation ethics?

Answer 24

Says it is very difficult to decide something based on the consequences of the action you aren’t sure will happen