Situation Ethics

Question 1

What two extremes does the ‘middle way’ reject?

Answer 1

Legalism and antinomianism

Question 2

Define legalism

Answer 2

Set principles applied as absolutes

Question 3

Define antinomianism

Answer 3

The freedom of the individual is the most important, regardless of the rules

Question 4

Explain Fletcher’s idea of situation

Answer 4

Every situation should be considered independently

Question 5

Fletcher quote: “Conscience is…

Answer 5

Merely a word for our attempts to make decisions creatively, constructively, fittingly”

Question 6

What is agape?

Answer 6

Pure, unconditional, disinterested Christian love

Question 7

Fletcher quote: “love is…

Answer 7

The only universal. But it’s not something we have or are, it’s something we do”

Question 8

What are the four presumptions?

Answer 8

Pragmatism
Relativism
Positivism
Personalism

Question 9

Define pragmatism

Answer 9

A moral solution is only good if it’s practical

Question 10

Define relativism

Answer 10

There is no absolute principle. Every decision depends upon the situation

Question 11

Define positivism

Answer 11

Statements of faith precede reason

Question 12

Define Personalism

Answer 12

Ethical theory and morality deal with people first over principles

Question 13

What are the six fundamental principles?

Answer 13

1. Only love is intrinsically good
2. The ruling norm of Christian decision is love, nothing else
3. Love and justice are the same, for justice is love distributed
4. Love wills the neighbours good whether we like him or not
5. Only the ends justify the means, nothing else
6. Loves decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively

Question 14

5 Strengths of situation ethics

Answer 14

1. Jesus broke religious rules and treated everyone individually
2. Flexible as it gives people personal freedom on what’s most loving
3. Doesn’t reject laws but sees them as useful tools that aren’t binding
4. Situationism & justice instrumental in C of E e.g. Slavery
5. If we follow how love guides, how can it be wrong?

Question 15

5 criticisms of situation ethics

Answer 15

1. Always a dispute about what’s most loving in a situation
2. Fletcher’s views don’t accurately reflect the NT’s e.g. Theft
3. Fletcher’s examples to justify SE are too extreme & rarely happen
4. Barclay - “to discard law is to discard experience.”
5. Laws & absolutes exist to protect society

Question 16

William Barclay’s criticism

Answer 16

Getting rid of absolutes could promote the freedom to justify any action under the excuse of love.

Question 17

Barclay quote: “Freedom can become…

Answer 17

Licence, freedom can become selfishness and even cruelty”

Question 18

Situation ethics IS compatible with other Christian approaches to moral decision making

Answer 18

• Jesus himself broke the sabbath law in favour of a person-centred approach when he and his disciples were hungry
• The change in Christian views on slavery, equality of women etc. indicate that absolutes are not always absolutes

Question 19

Situation ethics is NOT compatible with other Christian approaches to decision making

Answer 19

• Clear fundamental absolutes in the bible that many Christians always adhere to
• In 1956 a situationist approach to ethics was banned from all Roman Catholic academies

Question 20

Define agape

Answer 20

Greek word for “unconditional love”