Situation ethics Flashcards
What is situation ethics?
An alternate religious ethic where agape (love) is the only consideration that needs to be taken when making a moral decision
Legalism
The over reliance on applying strict rules. Fletcher believed society has turned back to this with ethics such as natural law
Antinomianism
The rejection of all moral laws. 20th century philosophy has been affected by existentialism, causing a rejection of moral laws
The four working principles
1) Pragmatism
2) Relativism
3) Positivism
4) Personalism
First of the six propositions
‘Only one thing is intrinsically good, namely love: nothing else at all’
Second of the six propositions
‘The ruling norm of Christian decision is love, thing else’
Third of the six propositions
‘Love and justice are the same, for justice is love distributed, nothing else’
Fourth of the six propositions
‘Love wills the neighbour good, whether we like him or not’
Fifth of the six propositions
‘Only the end justifies the means, nothing else’
Sixth of the six propositions
‘Love’s decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively’
What is agape?
Unconditional love
How does SE’s relativist approach benefit it?
It allows it to be flexible and deal with a variety of situations.
What may absolutist theories struggle with, that SE will not?
Absolutist theories may be unable to make a decision in every situation. SE is able to choose the lesser of two evils
Why is personalism a benefit to SE?
It focuses on the individual, as well as seeming a lot closer to the teachings of Jesus
What makes SE hard to object to?
The principle of love is hard to object to. If we love others, we will try and do what’s best for them