Situation Ethics

Question 1

What does teleological mean

Answer 1

A theory of ethics, whereby the rightness of an act is determined by its end.
Moral goodness is rooted in the consequences of our actions.

Question 2

What does relativism mean?

Answer 2

In fletcher’s system, the idea that morality is relative to the situation
We should avoid words like ‘always’, ‘never’, and ‘perfect’
Jesus agapeic love ‘relativises the absolute, does not absolute the relative’

Question 3

What are fletcher’s three approaches to moral thinking?

Answer 3

legalistic
situational
antinomian

Question 4

What is a legalistic approach

Answer 4

it’s a rigid approach
A legalist must constantly update, develop and add new laws to remain up-to date
Such fixed laws, as found within the Catholic or Protestant teachings, have problems when it comes to updating these laws (no second, third, fourth edition)

Question 5

What is a situational approach

Answer 5

Middle ground between legalistic and antinomianism
Moral action depends on situation
A situationist will enter a moral dilemma with rules, ethics, and principles of community/tradition
However, a situationist is prepared to
unique, following no patterns or preferences.
remain up-to-date.
set aside these rules in the situation IF love is better served by doing so.
Loving people not laws

Question 6

What is an antinomianism approach

Answer 6

opposite of legalistic
A person following antinomianism doesn’t apply any kind of law, rule, principle or system of ethics
• Every moral decision is unique, following no patterns or preferences
• Nietzsche and Sartre were fans, who believed that there are no rules to follow only your own choices.