Exam Cards - Situation Ethics Flashcards
1
Q
Which philosopher developed Situation Ethics?
A
Joseph Fletcher.
2
Q
What are the three approaches to ethics?
A
Legalistic, antinomian, and situational.
3
Q
Outline legalistic ethics.
A
Ethics based on absolute laws.
4
Q
Outline antinomian ethics.
A
Complete abandonment of laws and treating every situation as unique.
5
Q
Outline Situation Ethics.
A
Ethics where laws are still taken into consideration, but may be disregarded in certain situations if it best serves love.
6
Q
What are Fletcher’s Four Principles of Utility?
A
- Pragmatism
- Positivism
- Personalism
- Relativism
7
Q
Which type of love does Situation Ethics use?
A
Agapé.
8
Q
Which three words describe the theory of Situation Ethics?
A
Normative, relative, and teleological.
9
Q
What are the strengths of Situationism?
A
- All situations are unique
- Moral choices are not restricted by absolutist rules
- Modelled on the Gospel teachings - appeals to Christians
- Teaches that love is the only intrinsically right thing
10
Q
What are the weaknesses of Situationism?
A
- Aren’t some actions intrinsically wrong?
- Despite rejecting legalism, having one moral absolute makes it a legalistic approach
- Because it’s a teleological theory, it relies on knowing the outcome of situations, which isn’t always possible
