Situation Ethics Flashcards
Define Agape
The Greek word for love; often translated as pure love
How does agape differ from other loves, such as, family love?
By being translated as pure love
Define Legalism
Set principles are applied as absolutes, regardless of the context
Define Antinomianism
The freedom of the individual is paramount, regardless of rules
What did Fletcher propose?
An approach to Christian Ethics called situationism, that considers each situation on ethics before applying the Christian principle of love (agape)
What does Situation Ethics reject?
Legalism
Antinomianism
What did Situation Ethics prove useful for?
Being the theological way of meeting a practical need in light of the radical social changes of the 20th Century; in particular, changing views on moral behaviour
Who came up with Situation Ethics?
Joseph Fletcher
Should situations be considered independently in Situation Ethics?
Yes, no situation should be used as a blueprint for another
What does Fletcher argue about absolute principles?
They do not work in the real world
What are the four presumptions of Situation Ethics?
Pragmatism
Relativism
Positivism
Personalism
What are the six fundamental principles of Situation Ethics?
Only love is intrinsically good
The ruling norm of Christians decisions is love
Love and justice are the same
Love wills the neighbour’s good whether we like him or night
Only the end justifies the means, nothing else
Love’s decisions are made situationally
Who came up with Agape?
Jesus
What did Rudolph Bultmann say about Jesus?
That Jesus didn’t teach a system of ethics, only “love thy neighbour”
Who was Fletcher responding to?
Bultmann
What was Fletcher inspired by?
The bible but he was not an absolutist
What does Fletcher say he avoided?
The pitfalls of both Antinomianism and legalism
What was the pitfall of legalism?
Wasn’t flexible
What was the pitfall of Antinomianism?
Not principled
What type of theory is Situation Ethics?
Consequentialist
Define pragmatism
Moral actions must work or achieve some realistic goal
Define relativism
There are no fixed laws which must always be obeyed
Define positivism
First place is given to Christian love, rooted in faith. Belief precedes action.
Define Personalism
People come first, not rules or ideals.
What are the six presuppositions also called?
The six fundamental principles
What are six fundamental principles also called?
The six presuppositions
What are the 3 basic principles to ethics identified by Fletcher?
Legalism
Antinomianism
Situationism
Name another person supportive of Situation Ethics?
Bishop John Robinson
What did Bishop John Robinson say?
“Assertions about God are in the last analysis assertions about God”
Name 4 strengths of Situation Ethics
Christian system
Flexible relativist system
It emphasises love
It avoids conflicts of duty which are experienced in absolute systems
Why is being a Christian system a strength?
Because it consistent with the teaching of Jesus
What are four weaknesses of Situation Ethics?
It’s a Christian system
It’s a relativist system
“Love” is very subjective
It is difficult to predict the future results of actions
Why is Situation Ethics being a Christian system a weakness?
Because Atheists and those of other faiths might not want to follow the example of Jesus unlike Utilitarianism is secular.
Why is being a relativist system being a weakness?
It could allow for almost any action
What did Bultmann say in regards to Christian Ethics?
“Love thy neighbour” is the only system of ethics Jesus taught
Could anyone follow Situation Ethics, regardless of religion?
Yes, there are no instructions to worship God
What principle is applied by Fletcher to Situation Ethics?
Agape
What did Richard Dawkins say about Situation Ethics?
That it is Utopian and is “ideal in a world of saints”, which doesn’t exist
What did Zygmund Bauman say?
That legalistic ethical systems rob people of their ability to make moral decisions in the world
What did Fletcher say about following a moral law?
“A situationist follows a moral law or violates it according to love’s need”
What does Situation Ethics suit?
A world where there is uncertainty of what is right and what is wrong
