Situation Ethics

Question 1

Basic overview

Answer 1

Christian ethics still
Joseph fletcher is the main thinker ie. Proposed teleological ethical theory that any situation, if it loving outcome, is the best thing to do
This kind of agape was taught by Jesus in the New Testament
Relativist ethical theory

Question 2

agape

Answer 2

Unconditional love, Jesus says in the Ten Commandments to love god as it’s your duty.
Central for situation ethics

Question 3

Legalism v situationism vs antinomianism

Answer 3

Legalism - over reliance on laws. In Jesus Tim the Pharisees had 613 rules to uphold and so fletcher argues that NML is guilt of excessive legalism. This also applys to Christian literalists.

Situationism - for fletcher, the bright approach Is between the 2 extremes. Knowing when to apply the principal and when to recognise exceptions.

Antinomianism - believing in acting freely. Many believe rules lead to anarchy as ethics are so subjective no one can agree on them.

Question 4

Four working principals

Answer 4

Pragmatism
- not just an ideology, but it can be carried out
Relativism
- love is the absolute and everything else is relative to it
Positivism
- we create good rather than discovering it
Personalism
- must apply to us

Question 5

Fletchers 6 propositions

Answer 5

Love = justice
Only love can be an intrinsic good
Only the end justifies the means
Loves decisions are made situationally not prescriptively

Question 6

Applying situation ethics

Answer 6

Abortion after rape ( America, 60’s psych ward)
Euthanasia - ( most loving)
Adultery - sexual ethics ( German prisoner of war )
Sexual ethics - prostitution ( female spy)

Question 7

Situation ethics as a religious theory

Answer 7

_ Jewish law says only 2 commandments needed is to love god and your neighbour
- love is the primary evidence of the genuineness of the religious faith

Question 8

Situation ethics not as a religious theory

Answer 8

• Jesus divorces and commits adultery many times and references he’ll also. human nature is bad
• Agape is wishing love to your neighbour, this does not require a religion
• religion helps to disprove his theory altogether as Jesus said to disciples if they live him they will obey his commandments implying there are other commandments than love

Question 9

Advantages of situation ethics

Answer 9

• better than legalistic approach as that’s too inflexible for certain situations. Situationism is must more flexible / fair.
• saves us from personal bias as we do the most loving action for all around us

Question 10

Disadvantages of situation ethics

Answer 10

• No absolute boundaries so in hypothetical extremes such as child torture could be supported is loving action to be obtained.
• agape is too subjective
• apparent and real good of Aquineas
• Sit ethics is no diff from utilitarianism