Situation Ethics Flashcards
What is legalism, and why does Fletcher reject it?
Legalism: the traditional approach to Christian Ethics that says people need absolute rules to always follow.
Fletcher rejects this because it fails to take the situation into account
What is antinomianism, and why does Fletcher reject it?
Antinomianism: having no rules to follow at all.
Fletcher rejects this because it would lead to moral chaos.
What is situationism and why does Fletcher advocate for it?
It takes each situation into account, but also advocates for the principle of love as a guiding force, so it avoids moral chaos. The action that is the most good is the one that is the most loving.
What is Agape and why is it significant?
Jesus says the “greatest commandment” is to “love thy neighbour as yourself.” Fletcher interprets this to mean that love (Agape) outweighs all other objective moral guidance.
Fletcher uses the example of a family hiding from bandits. Murder is against the ten commandments, but if the baby starts crying, it would be the most loving thing to kill it, because the baby would get them all killed anyway.
What are the Four Working Principles?
- Pragmatism: an action must be calibrated to the reality of the situation.
- Relativism: “Relativises the absolute, it does not absolutise the relative.”
- Positivism: Ethics must begin with a basis in love.
- Personalism: Puts people above rules.
What are the Six Fundamental Principles?
- Only love is intrinsically good.
- The ruling norm of decision is love, nothing else.
- Justice is love distributed.
- Love wills the neighbour’s good whether we like him or not.
- Only the end justifies the means.
- Love decides there and then.
What were Fletcher’s views on conscience?
Conscience is a verb, not a noun. It enables people to explore how Agape is best expressed in each situation.
Does Situation Ethics give people too much freedom?
YES: Power corrupts, and SE only works if everyone holds the same amount of pure love. Barclay argues that humanity hasn’t come of age, so it ‘still needs the crutch and protection of law.’
NO: Fletcher and Robinson argue that humanity has ‘come of age.’ Rigid absolute rules may have been necessary back when people were less educated and had less self-control, but they aren’t needed now.
How does Fletcher come into conflict with sola scriptura?
Sola scripture means ‘Bible Alone’ and protestants believe that moral lessons should be taken from the Bible only. It should not be derived from moral autonomy of individuals applying subjective love. Fletcher reduces Christian Ethics into just loving others.
How does Fletcher view the Bible?
He takes a liberal perspective on the Bible and doesn’t view the Bible as the perfect word of God. It isn’t a ‘rules book.’ Whilst the Bible says things are wrong, like killing or homosexuality, Fletcher doesn’t view these as unbreakable rules.
Is Fletcher’s Situation Ethics validated by Jesus’ approach?
YES: Jesus overturned rules like “an eye for an eye” and preached “love thy neighbour”, which was deemed the greatest commandment over all others and Fletcher interprets this as love being an overriding factor.
NO: Mouw argues that just because Jesus said love thy neighbour was a great commandment, doesn’t remove the importance of other rules. Would Jesus have made any other rules if love thy neighbour was the greatest?
Are Situation Ethics too subjective?
YES: Love is too subjective, and it means different things to different people. Over-protective parents might see their protection as love, even if it’s smothering. It also suggests that SE is non-religious as it doesn’t depend on God’s objective guidance.
NO: Agape doesn’t mean love, it means Christian love. It must be selfless and just how Jesus preached.
Does Situation Ethics lead to antinomianism?
YES: Living contrary to God’s plans is what creates societal disorder. Therefore, even if we justify abortion or killing or stealing through agape, it still contributes to a chaotic moral order.
NO: Atheistic countries that act on Quality over Sanctity of Life still have good living conditions and peaceful societies. Christians who act according to absolutism in the USA are more disordered.
