Situation Ethics Flashcards
Legalism is…
the approach to solving ethical issues using rules or laws from holy books, which are believed by many to be God-given revelation.
The main issues with legalism are ___ .
Cherry-picking, rigid, absolutist, can be misinterpreted.
Fletcher’s quote which describes using legalism as a sole way of making moral decisions as harmful is ___ .
“any web thus woven sooner or later chokes its weavers”
Antinomianism means…
to be against and reject all laws - do as you please
The main issues with antinomianism are ___ .
Can be dangerous, inspires chaos and barbarism, selfish.
Who is Joseph Fletcher?
1905-1991, American Professor, founder of Situation Ethics, writer of “Situation Ethics, the New Morality” 1963
In Greek, what are the four different types of love?
Storge, philia, eros and agape.
Storge refers to…
affectionate love, or the love between family members,
Philia refers to…
friendly love, or the love between friends.
Eros refers to…
romantic or sexual love, the love between two partners.
Agape refers to…
unconditional love, or the love of God.
Situation Ethics is a relativistic theory, which means that…
all situations must be looked at individually to decide what is morally right in that specific instance.
How does the Parable of the Good Samaritan show agape love?
It shows that you should show unconditional love to everyone, even strangers and people you hate.
What Bible quote supports the bases of Situation Ethics?
“God is love” 1 John 4:8
Situation Ethics is most commonly associated with…
Joseph Fletcher and JAT Robinson
What is the significance of the 1960s?
Period of drastic change, people were pulling away from religion, increasing role of women in the workforce, drugs, sexual emergence and contraception,
Situation Ethics argues that Jesus taught…
a new morality.
Robinson said that Situation Ethics was for…
“man come of age”.
What is a “dues ex machina” and how does it apply to Situation Ethics?
Means literally “God of the machine” - Robinson argued God was not a higher-power, omnipotent being, but instead should be understood as the “the grounds of our being”.
What are the four working principles?
Pragmatism, relativism, personalism and positivism.
Explain “personalism”, one of the four working principles.
Putting people before the rules.
Explain “pragmatism”, one of the four working principles.
Whether or not the action is achievable or possible.
Explain “relativism”, one of the four working principles.
No fixed solution, the action must be considered according to the situation.
Explain “positivism”, one of the four working principles.
Whether or not agape is the motivation behind the action.
