situation ethics

Question 1

why was situation ethics created?

Answer 1

situation ethics was created as the church was facing drastic changes and Fletcher understood if the church did not adapt to the new changes it would get left behind .

Question 2

what drastic changes was the church facing ?

Answer 2

. women occupy permanent work
. new laws
. society questioning authority

Question 3

who created situation ethics ?

Answer 3

Joseph Fletcher

Question 4

when was situation ethics made

Answer 4

1966

Question 5

what is the boss principle of situation ethics ?

Answer 5

agape love

Question 6

what is agape love ?

Answer 6

agape love is the highest form of christian love, a type of unconditional love which shows empathy and demonstrates doing the best for everyone with good intentions.

Question 7

what are the 4 working principles?

Answer 7

pragmatism, relativism , positivism and personalism

Question 8

what is pragmatism?

Answer 8

confidence in action , that it will lead to agape love.

Question 9

what is relativism ?

Answer 9

open to the fact you might do something , can never say never.

Question 10

what is positivism ?

Answer 10

being positive about agape love.

Question 11

what is personalism?

Answer 11

putting people above the law for agape love.

Question 12

what are problems and major flaws for situation ethics?

Answer 12

.can lead to heinous acts
.any acts can be justified
.to broad no set rules
.two people might have different ideas of what the most loving thing to do is
.no clear guidance
.goes against 10 commandments when it’s meant to be christian

Question 13

what is biblical evidence of situation ethics ?

Answer 13

. fletcher names Jesus an advocate for new morality 2000 years previously
. Jesus touched and healed lepers
. greatest commandment “ love thy neighbour “ - agape love
. good samaritan “ go and do likewise “
. “ sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath”

Question 14

what are the six principles?

Answer 14

1. “ only one thing is intrinsically good: love”
2. “ruling norm of christianity: love”
3. “ love and justice are the same “
4. “love for everyone “
5. “only the end justifies the means”
6. “loves decisions are made situationally “

Question 15

what does situation ethics think of homosexual relationships?

Answer 15

. allow homosexual relationships: consequences promote agape love , commitment, bible outdated, intrinsically good.
. not allow homosexual relationships: lust, emotion is not agape love, goes against 10 commandments, not acceptable if abusive, procreation = pragmatism.

Question 16

what is situation ethics thoughts on polyamorous relationships ?

Answer 16

. allow polyamorous relationships: agape consequences are promoted, contraception exists, judged case by case.
. not allow polyamorous relationships: religious laws suggest no and it is a christian ethics , unnecessary for this relationship to take place as there will be no extreme situation for this to take place.

Question 17

strengths of situation ethics ?

Answer 17

.grounded in the teaching and example set by jesus
. provides individual autonomy
. provides flexibility, making it relevant and applicable

Question 18

weakness of situation ethics

Answer 18

. based on jesus , excludes others like atheists
. too much responsibility for individuals
. impractical in society, need clear rules and laws
. the end does not always justify the mean

Question 19

too much responsibility to individuals quote william barclay

Answer 19

“ terrifying degree of freedom”

Question 20

it is impractical in society quote william barclay

Answer 20

“ if all men were saints, then situation ethics would be perfect “

Question 21

the end does not always justify the mean quote william barclay

Answer 21

“ there are things which in no circumstances can be right “

Question 22

what does John Macquarie suggest?

Answer 22

he suggests that because situation ethics is about individuals making individual decisions based on specific circumstances, it can’t be applied across all of society and it won’t be able to function.