Agape Flashcards
What is the importance of Agape in Christianity according to Fletcher?
It is drawn from Jesus’ teaching that the ‘greatest commandment’ is to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’.
How does Fletcher interpret the ‘greatest commandment’ in Christianity?
He suggests that all other religious rules, principles, and commandments only have value insofar as they enable Agape.
What does Agape mean in the context of Fletcher’s Situation Ethics?
Agape refers to selfless, unconditional love that prioritizes the well-being of others.
How does Fletcher use the 10 Commandments to explain Agape?
Fletcher states that commandments like “murder is wrong” have value only when they promote Agape, the highest form of love.
What example does Fletcher give to illustrate the application of Agape over a commandment?
The example of a family hiding from bandits where the baby starts crying. Fletcher argues that it would be the most loving action to kill the baby to prevent the whole family, including the baby, from being killed by the bandits.
Why does Fletcher argue that killing the baby in the example is the most loving action?
Because the situation is such that the baby’s crying would reveal their hiding place, leading to the deaths of the entire family, including the baby.
What does Fletcher’s example of the crying baby illustrate about Situation Ethics?
It illustrates that Situation Ethics prioritizes the most loving outcome in a situation, even if it means breaking traditional moral rules.
How does Fletcher’s view challenge traditional Christian ethics?
By suggesting that traditional rules, like the prohibition against murder, can be overridden if doing so leads to the most loving outcome in a given situation.
