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
Why is ‘doing the most loving thing’ a somewhat drawback of SE?
It is too vague. It is subjective of what the most loving thing is and not a clear instruction
What could potentially be permitted by SE?
Everything. There are no moral boundaries. Scholars such as Pope
Pius XII would argue some actions are intrinsically wrong.
Why is SE being teleological a drawback?
It requires us to predict the outcome of actions. This can never be done completely accurately.
What do some argue that SE is just a Christian version of?
Utilitarianism with agape instead of pain and pleasure.
What did Pope Pius XII believe about SE?
That it was an attack directly on Jesus. God has given us rules to follow (natural law) so we need not make our own.
What can be argued about SE’s view on Jesus’ teachings?
That it is an incomplete view. Although Jesus did preach love, he also suggested strict rules that should never be broken. e.g Divorce.
