Situation Ethics

Question 1

SE theory by…

Answer 1

Joseph Fletcher

Question 2

What are situation ethics?

Answer 2

what is the most loving thing to do in that situation. believe in agape love

Question 3

Are situation ethics deontological or teleological ethics and why?

Answer 3

teleological as they are relative to the situation

Question 4

What 2 ethical systems is SE in the middle of?

Answer 4

1. antinomianism - freedom from any external rules
2. legalism - absolute, established rules

Question 5

What are the 4 working principles of SE?

Answer 5

1. Pragmatism
2. Relativism
3. Positivism
4. Personalism

Question 6

What is pragmatism?

Answer 6

The action has to work. Practical

Question 7

What is relativism?

Answer 7

Situation relative to agape

Question 8

What is positivism?

Answer 8

Faith comes first e.g. Christianity

Question 9

What is personalism?

Answer 9

Puts the person first

Question 10

What are the 6 fundamental principles?

Answer 10

1. Only one thing is intrinsically good - love
2. The ruling norm of Christian decisions is love: nothing else
3. Love and justice are the same: justice is love distributed
4. Love wills the neighbour’s good, whether we like him or not
5. Only the end justifies the means, nothing else
6. Love’s decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively

Question 11

Give the main example for biblical support of SE and explain

Answer 11

‘The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath’ - Mark 2:27
Fletcher used this to show that Jesus himself was a situationist as he healed a man on the Sabbath, when everyone is meant to have the day off. Jesus broke the rules to do the most loving thing.

Question 12

Origin of agape (love)

Answer 12

Pure, unconditional love which is the work of Jesus

Comes from the Hebrew word ‘aheb’ referred to in the Good Samaritan. It is the spontaneous and implusive love from and towards humans

Question 13

Name of biblical texts that support the idea of agape being the overriding priciple

Answer 13

• 10 Commandments
• Leviticus laws
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan
• Mark 12:30-31 - ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’

Question 14

What is agape love in terms of the priciples of SE?

Answer 14

the BOSS PRINCIPLE

Question 15

What did Fletcher believe about homosexuality during the 1900s?

Answer 15

Argued that laws making (male) homosexuality illegal were outdated, inconsistent, hypocritical and unjust

Question 16

Give a quote about what Fletcher said about homosexuality

Answer 16

‘whether any form of sex (hetero, homo) is good or evil depends on whether love is fully served’

Question 17

Fletcher’s beliefs on sex laws (homosexuality)

Answer 17

Believed sex laws should be restricted by 3 criteria:
1. Age of consent
2. Infringement of public decency
3. Acts involving violence, public assault, fraud etc.