Situation Ethics Flashcards
Who was Joseph Fletcher
20th century American philosopher, founder of situation ethics
What is situation ethics
The ‘middle way’ between legalism (rigid rules) and antinomianism (no rules)
What did Fletcher believe
The principle of agape is a summary of the ethics of jesus - where necessary the command to love others unconditionally replaces all other laws
What is agape
Loving people who don’t seem deserving of our love, as god loves us even though we are undeserving
What are the four working principles
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
What are the 6 propositions
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
How do Christians traditionally view conscience
As a thing/noun that we possess
How does fletcher view conscience
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
Why does fletcher use case studies
To acknowledge that everything is different
Fletcher’s abortion case study
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
Fletcher’s terminally ill case study
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
Fletcher WWII case study
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
