Situation Ethics Flashcards
Teleological
The rightness or wrongness of an action depends on its consequences.
This links to how Jesus set aside laws for love.
Situation ethics as an Christian ethic
There are disagreements over whether or not it is a Christian ethical theory.
Some Christians would say that the bible provides enough guidance on how to apply love
“love your neighbour” AND love God - to love God you must obey his revelation.
Selective foundation.
Legalism
Joseph Fletcher rejected legalistic approaches that were based on fixed laws.
This is known as “antinomian ethics”
Laws are not recognised in the role of morality.
General view of morality
Moral decisions are situational and depend on what best serves love. Rules can be set aside for love.
All things are relative to love.
6 propositions
Fletcher suggested 6 propositions that should be kept in mind when seeking a decision:
Love is the only thing that is intrinsically good.
Love is the ruling norm of Christian decisions.
Love and justice are the same thing.
Love is a matter of attitude.
The end should be the most loving result.
Love’s decision is made situationally.
The 4 working presuppositions
Relavitism
Positivism
Pragmatism
Personalism
Pros of SE
Works for situation that were not faced when traditional rules were formed.
|t provides a guide when rules fail.
Many people face moral situations that are far from everyday.
Cons of SE
Rule-based approaches provide simple answers.
Examples given are unrealistic to everyday life.
No easy answers and you have to take responsibility.
When there is more than one person involved, rules can provide a mechanism that ensures all interests are considered.
‘Situation’ is hard to define - especially when used on a large scale.
Can we not just make rules based on personalism?
Christian ethic?
No absolute wrongs? leaves people vulnerable
The morality of an action IS based on whether agape is served
Some may consider ‘serving love’ to be following the rules that Jesus set out.
“If you love me, keep my commands”
The morality of an action ISNT based on whether agape is served
What about goodness or rightness?
What about the repercussions of an act?
How far does agape go?
Ethical judgements should look beyond the immediate situation.
Universal laws are needed to protect everyone.
John Macquarrie
Situationism is individualistic and cannot be used as the basis of social morality.
Ethics should focus on solving problems for communities rather than individual situations.
William Barclay
“we must make man morally and lovingly fit to take that decision”
SE doesn’t recognise that humans are infallible and they fail to consider the interests of others.
