Situation Ethics Flashcards
Why was there a need for situation ethics?
A new approach to Christian ethics as it was a time of such radical change during the 1960s. The sexual revolution; women were advancing in a world previously dominated by men; violent protests against the Vietnam War.
Who developed Situation ethics and why?
Joseph Fletcher because he felt there needed to be a new theory to suit the ever adapting world.
What is the primary principle behind situation ethics and how is it a religious ethical theory?
The man principle is Agape – acting in a way that brings about the most loving outcome. Religious as taken from the teaching of Jesus “love thy neighbour” which the Scholar Rudolf Bultman thought Jesus “taught no other lesson.
What was the problem with legalistic ethics?
Stuck to the rules too much and never fluctuated.
What was the problem with antinomian ethics?
It was too free and could only lead to a world that was full of chaos.
Why does situation ethics work where antinomian and legalistic ethics fail?
Held to a rule of law yet still maintained a certain flexibility for unique cases, if so required to provide the most loving outcome.
What are the four working principles?
Pragmatism – moral actions must work or achieve a realistic goal, relativism – which states that there are no fixed laws which must be obeyed in every case, positivism – Christian love therefore rooting it in faith, finally personalism – the person comes first above rules and ideals and therefore makes the concept applicable to the individual.
What are the six working principles?
Only one thing is intrinsically good – love, the ruling norm of Christian decision is love, love and justice are the same, love wills the neighbour’s good - whether we like him or not, only the end can ever justifies the means – nothing else, love’s decisions are made situationally not prescriptively which makes situation ethics a flexible concept.
Who was Bishop J.A.T Robinson?
A British bishop who developed similar views to Fletcher.
What quote did J.A.T Robinson say?
‘assertions about God are in the last analysis assertions about love’
What was Robinson mainly concerned with?
Many people were suffering from being in a marriage without love and he felt this was wrong as the only reason couples were together was because of the social expectations placed upon them to remain married. The most loving thing to do would be allowing the couples to divorce.
How is breaking the rules important?
Use the example of a Killer asking the whereabouts of a victim.
Why is the fact that situation ethics is subjective making it individualistic bad?
An individual is intrinsically unique, therefore what one may view as the most loving course of action may conflict with another’s point of view and a society cannot function on constant disagreement.
What is the problem with those who act outside of our accepted ways in society?
Example of ISIS militant.
What did William Barclay say that laws must do?
‘Determine what is acceptable in society’.
