situation ethics Flashcards
What is the main principle of situation ethics?
The main principle of situation ethics is to prioritize love and the most loving outcome in ethical decision-making - agape
True or False: Situation ethics is based on fixed moral rules.
False
Fill in the blank: Situation ethics was primarily developed by _____ .
Joseph Fletcher
What does situation ethics argue against?
It argues against absolute moral laws and rules.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a central tenet of situation ethics? A) Love is the only intrinsic good B) Legalism C) Personalism D) Pragmatism
B) Legalism
List one strength of situation ethics.
It offers flexibility in moral decision-making.
It allows the greatest amount of love to be produced as it is not relativist and does not rely on rules which are not helpful in differing circumstances.
What is a major weakness of situation ethics?
It can lead to subjective interpretations of what love means. Every ones definition of love differs ‘ripples in a pond theory’ - how far should love go.
we are selfish, according to Augustine (original sin) is it realistic for us to make moral decisions based on love.
True or False: Situation ethics can be easily applied to all ethical dilemmas.
False
Fill in the blank: Situation ethics is often seen as a form of _____ ethics.
normative
What is the ‘law of love’ in situation ethics?
The law of love states that love should be the guiding principle in all ethical decisions.
Multiple Choice: Which philosopher is most closely associated with situation ethics? A) Immanuel Kant B) John Stuart Mill C) Joseph Fletcher D) Aristotle
C) Joseph Fletcher
What is one criticism regarding the application of situation ethics in real-life scenarios?
It can be too ambiguous and may lead to inconsistent decisions.
True or False: Situation ethics allows for exceptions to moral rules.
True
What does the term ‘personalism’ refer to in the context of situation ethics?
Personalism emphasizes the importance of people over laws or rules.
List one advantage of using situation ethics in a multicultural society.
It allows for diverse perspectives and individual circumstances to be considered.
What is a potential issue with defining ‘love’ in situation ethics?
Different interpretations of love can lead to varying ethical decisions.
Fill in the blank: Situation ethics can sometimes conflict with _____ ethics.
deontological
Multiple Choice: In situation ethics, which is considered the highest priority? A) Justice B) Love C) Duty D) Tradition
B) Love
What is the role of consequences in situation ethics?
Consequences are important as they help determine the most loving action and allow humans to develop and grow.
True or False: Situation ethics supports the idea of moral absolutes.
False
What kind of ethical dilemmas does situation ethics aim to address?
Complex ethical dilemmas where rigid rules may not apply.
List one limitation of situation ethics in moral reasoning.
It may lead to moral relativism.
Fill in the blank: Situation ethics is often contrasted with _____ ethics.
legalistic
What is the significance of ‘pragmatism’ in situation ethics?
Pragmatism emphasizes practical outcomes and the effectiveness of love in real situations.
Multiple Choice: According to situation ethics, moral decisions should be made based on: A) Tradition B) Love C) Authority D) Popular opinion
B) Love
what is the catholic church’s view on situation ethics.
Love is a guiding principle in the Bible
Mark12 ‘you shall love your neighbour as yourself’
1 corinthions ‘love is patient and love is kind’
‘Love your neighbour’ love seen throughout highlighting it is a key factor in the process of moral decision making.
-People interpret the bible differently so it is impossible to now who interpretation id correct
What deos Rev John Macquarrie say
SE is too individualistic, which can never be a basis for social morality - in a world so adaptive to changing times there must be constants to remove any issues of subjectivity and remove any possibility of justifying unjustifiable actions.
What does Barclay say
SE goes against a natural law - it allows a dangerous amount of freedom
Situation ethics in application to euthanasia
Sanctity of life - all life is sacred ‘in my fathers house there are many rooms.’
quality of life -life of the person valued more than religious view of life
The most loving thing to do - allows freedom to choose when to die allows humans the right to practice free will without is control and an all loving God would not want to limit our ability to freely choose so can not control when we die - no one’s definition of love will be the same - God gave life so only God can take it
Calvin we have a predestined end as we had a predestined start - if God knows what will happen before we do does that make human free or does it take their free will away???
slippery slope argument - what are the bounds for euthanasia
Improve palliative care - Kill the pain not the patient
Kant - opposes euthanasia - violates the duties that rational beings owe themselves - whenever we make a choice we act on a maxim - any act that destroys humanity to be ‘the supreme violation of duties to oneself.’
people who commit any form of suicide destroy their rationality in service to something else- pain
