Situation Ethics

Question 1

Who was Joseph Fletcher

Answer 1

20th century American philosopher, founder of situation ethics

Question 2

What is situation ethics

Answer 2

The ‘middle way’ between legalism (rigid rules) and antinomianism (no rules)

Question 3

What did Fletcher believe

Answer 3

The principle of agape is a summary of the ethics of jesus - where necessary the command to love others unconditionally replaces all other laws

Question 4

What is agape

Answer 4

Loving people who don’t seem deserving of our love, as god loves us even though we are undeserving

Question 5

What are the four working principles

Answer 5

Framework that guides our decision making
1. Pragmatism - something needs to work in practice for it to be good
2. Positivism - belief in the r alitu and importance of agape
3. Personalism - people should be placed above laws/rules
4. Relativism - right actions are not fixed but dependent on the situation

Question 6

What are the 6 propositions

Answer 6

6 key ideas that show what fletcher understood agape love to mean
1. Intrinsically good
2. The only rule
3. The same as justice
4. Attitude not a feeling
5. End goal
6. Decides situationally

Question 7

How do Christians traditionally view conscience

Answer 7

As a thing/noun that we possess

Question 8

How does fletcher view conscience

Answer 8

As an activity that we do
- director of moral decision making
- involves prayer and careful consideration of the four working principles and 6 propositions
- doesn’t involve reviewing the decision afterwards

Question 9

Why does fletcher use case studies

Answer 9

To acknowledge that everything is different

Question 10

Fletcher’s abortion case study

Answer 10

1962 - Girl with schizophrenia was raped in a psychiatric hospital, father requested an abortion should happen but doctors refused as it was only legal if the mothers life was in danger
Fletcher argues abortion should be allowed to take place

Question 11

Fletcher’s terminally ill case study

Answer 11

Terminally ill man is offered expensive medical treatment to prolong his life by a few months, but will leave the family with very little money if he accepts
- normally, sanctity of life says he should do it
- fletcher argues it is moral to refuse treatment

Question 12

Fletcher WWII case study

Answer 12

End of WWII - German woman is in Russian war camp, her husband and kids are safe, a guard impregnated her so she could be returned to Germany
Fletcher argues in this case, adultery is morally justified