Situation Ethics

Question 1

What is legalism?

Answer 1

Legalism is the view that people require fixed rules to follow - it fails to take the situation into account

Question 2

What is antinomianism?

Answer 2

Antinomianism is the view that there are no rules or laws to follow at all - it leads to moral chaos

Question 3

What is the basis of situation ethics?

Answer 3

Situation ethics takes the situation into account, giving people clear guidance and avoiding moral chaos. It does this by claiming that agape is the one single absolute principle which should be applied to all situations. The action that is good is the one that has the most loving consequence in the situation you are in. Thus, it is teleological and relative.

Question 4

What is agape?

Answer 4

Agape is charitable and unconditional love, first expressed by Jesus in the New Testament. He argued the greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself

Question 5

What are the four working principles?

Answer 5

The four working principles are involved in the application of the guiding principles of agape to moral situations

Question 6

What is pragmatism?

Answer 6

An action must be calibrated to the reality of the situation. Will the proposed action work?

Question 7

What is relativism?

Answer 7

Agape is applied relatively to different situations, avoiding words like ‘never’ and ‘always’.

Question 8

What is positivism?

Answer 8

Natural law and Kantian ethics are based on reason but Fletcher believed ethics had to begin with faith in love. Positivism is based on the belief that God is love and we must put this into action

Question 9

What is personalism?

Answer 9

Personalism is putting people first rather than rules. As Jesus said ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’

Question 10

What is the first proposition?

Answer 10

Only one thing is intrinsically good, namely love: nothing else at all.

Question 11

What is the second proposition?

Answer 11

The ruling norm of Christian decision is love, nothing else

Question 12

What is the third proposition?

Answer 12

Love and justice are the same

Question 13

What is the fourth proposition?

Answer 13

Love wills the neighbour good whether we like him or not

Question 14

What is the fifth proposition?

Answer 14

Only the end justifies the means, nothing else

Question 15

What is the sixth proposition?

Answer 15

Love’s decisions are made situationally , not prescriptively

Question 16

What are the six fundamental propositions?

Answer 16

The six fundamental propositions are axioms which follow from agape being at the centre of ethics

Question 17

Detail Fletcher’s example of abortion after rape

Answer 17

A young patient is pregnant after her father rapes her. Applying the 4WP would permit abortion even though if it was illegal

Question 18

Detail Fletcher’s example of adultery

Answer 18

A German woman is in Russia as a POW. She sleeps with a guard to be sent back to her family. Applying the 4WP, relatively this is a good action

Question 19

Strengths of SE

Answer 19

• Brings practical flexibility to situations, taking into account circumstances
• Agape is a good principle, saving us from personal bias and a simple principle to understand
• Based on reason rather than strict faith
• Person centred, leads to fairness rather than equality. Example, abortion or euthanasia
• Positive about human nature and allows for moral responsibility due to autonomy
• Mirrors teachings from Jesus

Question 20

Weaknesses of SE

Answer 20

• No clear or absolute boundaries – surely some things are never acceptable e.g. rape, torture, genocide, child abuse etc.
• Agape is vague – most loving for who? How can we truly ensure our actions is the most loving outcome? Example, euthanasia.
• How can we truly predict consequences? Will it actually lead to the most loving outcome? Example, abortion or euthanasia.
• Can lead to a lack of equality – some people can be disregarded over others e.g. those with disabilities are less valuable than rational thinking, autonomous people.
• William Barclay – Fletcher’s examples are too extreme. Rules can serve a positive and vital function e.g. protection of the innocent – Isn’t this loving? Not easy to make decisions

. - David Cook – hypocrisy. The 4Wps and 6Ps are absolute rules to follow. SE can lead to lack of clarity. Loving for whom?

• Selective aspects of Jesus’ teaching – tells disciples to obey his commands.

Question 21

What does William Barclay argue?

Answer 21

SE gives moral agents a dangerous amount of freedom

Question 22

What does Anthony O’Hear say?

Answer 22

He questions whether no actions can be intrinsically wrong

Question 23

What does D.Z Phillips question?

Answer 23

Questions whether we can ever truly know that we have done the right thing

Question 24

How does Temple reply to Phillips?

Answer 24

Good is what is right in the moment

Question 25

What does W.D Ross say?

Answer 25

We have prima facie duties e.g Fidelity that should always be followed

Question 26

What does Richard Mouw say?

Answer 26

Mouw argues that just because Jesus said agape was the greatest commandment, this does not then mean other laws should be ruled out