Situation Ethics

Question 1

relativistic meaning…

Answer 1

recognises no universal moral norms or rules and proposes that each situation should be looked at independently

Question 2

consequentialist meaning…

Answer 2

the application of agape also makes moral judgements based on the outcome of an action

Question 3

teleological application because…

Answer 3

its concerned with the end goal which is always Christian love

Question 4

Fletcher’s Book

Answer 4

“SE: the new morality” was based on the message that the absolute principle of right and good are not realistic and problematic when applied blindly

Question 5

Fletcher argument

Answer 5

in order to make meaningful ethical decisions, the situation needs to be considered and doing what is right requires the practical application of agape

Question 6

what is agape?

Answer 6

loving kindness, seen as the best form of love (Christian love)

Question 7

each situation is…

Answer 7

not a blueprint of other circumstances so each situation is considered/judged independently and uniquely.

Question 8

the churches ethical stance…

Answer 8

took a legalistic approach using “fabricated rules and regulations” as directives but was only “hurting people instead of helping people”

Question 9

what is legalism?

Answer 9

the ides that ethics should be about accepting and adhering to laws and rules, these are considered to be absolute. e.g. a Christian legalist would feel obliged to follow all 1663 commandments to the very letter.

Question 10

what is antinomianism?

Answer 10

the idea that ethics should not be bound by laws and rules, and should actively promote freedom from imposed rules. e.g. a Christian antinomianism would not feel obliged to follow the 10 commandments.

Question 11

fletchers situation ethics approach

Answer 11

he takes “the middle way” between legalism and antinomianism so calls this situation ethics. for fletcher, freedom to reason is crucial. he didn’t embrace total autonomy as only saw love as the only principle as deciding on what to do should produce the most loving outcome.

Question 12

What ‘God-given’ laws does Joseph Fletcher reject?

Answer 12

all except to ‘love God’ and ‘love thy neighbour’

Question 13

at the time what was happening?

Answer 13

during the 1960s there was huge rejection of authority. like in the 50s illegal to be gay as stated in NML but fletcher changes this view.

Question 14

why does fletcher reject legalism?

Answer 14

he believe that there should be flexibility and not absolute laws for morality.

Question 15

why does fletcher reject antinomianism?

Answer 15

he believe that there should be flexibility and not absolute laws for morality. antinomians had no strategy and had no principles or maxims whatsoever

Question 16

biblical evidence of agape

Answer 16

-the parable of the good Samaritan
-love thy neighbour is known as the greatest commandment
-love seen as the greatest virtue by Jesus, Paul and the church
- Jesus worked on the sabbath, flipped tables in the markets and touched lepers

Question 17

the boss principle

Answer 17

Agape is the spontaneous and impulsive love towards god and fellow beings. its universal, outward looking and embraces all.

Question 18

what are the four working principles?

Answer 18

they are used as a guide to decision making by focusing on what is the most loving thing in a given situation. they are pragmatism, relativism, positivism and personalism

Question 19

pragmatism is…

Answer 19

ethical decisions must be practical and work in real life situations. “the good is what works, what is expedient, what gives satisfaction”. action must be “doable” and aimed at love

Question 20

relativism is…

Answer 20

there are no absolute rules instead ethical decisions are relative to the circumstance. love is the only absolute and other principles must be applied flexibly to serve love. EG: lying is wrong but to save someone’s life is most loving action

Question 21

positivism is…

Answer 21

statements of faith are asserted to and accept voluntarily as an act of faith and reason works out the application of faith
EG: a doctor gives medication to sooth pain but could hasten death but guided by positivism chooses to prioritises well being of patient

Question 22

personalism is…

Answer 22

concern for people rather than things. the people are always valued more highly as people are above the law. the discipline is to love people not laws and precept. e.g. breaking a law to help someone in need like a stealing for a starving person

Question 23

what is the 6 fundamental principles?

Answer 23

they explain how the concept of love can be understood in the context of Christian moral decision making.

Question 24

what are the 6 fundamental principles?

Answer 24

love is intrinsically good, love is the ruling norm, love and justice are the same, love is not based on feelings but on will and action, love justifies the means, decisions are made situationally and not prescriptively

Question 25

1- love is intrinsically good

Answer 25

nothing is intrinsically good except for love. an actions morality depends on weather they promote love. e.g. stealing to feed a starving child

Question 26

2-love is the ruling norm

Answer 26

love replaces the legalistic rules and should guide all decisions just like Jesus prioritised love over adherence to the laws

Question 27

3-love and justice are the same

Answer 27

justice is love distributed so acting lovingly means striving for justice in a way that benefits everyone. e.g. a decision that only benefits oneself may not reflect justice or love
“justice is the many-sideness of love”

Question 28

4-love is not based on feelings but on will and action

Answer 28

love is not an emotion but an active choice to seek the good of others. its unconditional and doesn’t depend on if like the person. e.g a person helping an enemy

Question 29

5-love justifies the means

Answer 29

morality of an action depends if achieves most loving outcome. no action is inherently wrong if results in love. e.g lying to save someone’s life

Question 30

6-decisions are made situationally not prescriptively

Answer 30

each decision should be made based on unique context and what promotes most loving outcome