Joseph fletchers situation ethics Flashcards
what is the boss principle of situation ethics?
Create the most loving consequences (agape)
What type of ethical theory is it?
It is a consequentialist and a theological theory (focuses on the outcome and whether it is for the highest form of love)
What are 6 fundamental principles of SE?
1) Only one thing is intrinsically good, love nothing else
2) Only love is the principle to suggest what is right and wrong, replaces the law and only rule
3) Love and justice are the same, justice is love distributed
4) Love wills the good of others, regardless of feelings
5) A loving ends justifies the means
6) Love’s decisions are made situationally not prescriptively
Relativist ethics?
No universally valid moral principles and it rejects the idea that actions are intrinsically good or bad
What is legalism?
Based on prescribed rules by which people can ,make every moral decision. Some people suggest that obedience to these rules gains eternal life (beatific vision)
Antinomianism?
‘Against laws’ People are under no obligation to obey the laws of ethics or morality
Existentialism?
Philosophy that proposes that a person s free and responsible to determine their own development.
Conscience?
A persons moral sense of right and wrong, part of someone who judges the morality of their own actions. Aquinas said ti was a persons own ‘god-given faculty’
Agape?
Greek word for love, word is used in the NT for the kind of love expressed and taught by Jesus- a selfless love
Aheb?
Hebrew word for loving that is similar to agape
Chesed?
Hebrew word use to describe the loving relationship between god and gods people
What are the four working principles?
One of two sets of guiding principles for SE; personalism, positivism, pragmatism and relativism
Pragmatism?
One must evaluate the situation and perform whatever action is practical/workable, motivated by love.
Relativism?
The view that there are no universal moral norms, but an action should judged right of wrong depending the in the social, cultural and individual circumstances in each situation.
Positivism?
Means that one must accept that acting in the most loving way is the right thing to do without any rational proof that it is.
Personalism?
People, not laws must be put first in any given situation and must achieve the ,most loving outcome
Who is J AT Robinson?
British Bishop who agreed with SE, called to the only ethos for ‘man come of age’. wrote the book “honest to god”
Who is Paul tillich?
German- americana christian exisetalist philosopher who wrote in his systematic theology Vol 1 “The law of love is the ultimate law because it is the negation of the law.
What did Jesus say at the last supper?
“And now I give you a new commandment, love one another… if you have love for one another then everyone will know that you are my disciples”
What is the background for situation ethics in the 1960s?
In 1966 when SE was written, society’s direction was changing, women were increasingly prominent in the work force, absence of men from WW11. Freely available and realiable contreception
What was Bultmans quote about Jesus?
Claimed Jesus had no ethic”Love thy neighbour as yourself”
What was Tilchs quote with love and absolutism?
“The law of love is the ultimate law because it is the negation of law”
Who criticised Situation ethics?
Pope Pius X11; “an opposition to natural law, God’s law”
Why are laws used?
To try to eliminate moral evil
Eros definition?
Sexual love
Storge definition?
Family love