Situation Ethics Chapter 11 Flashcards
Who was William Temple?
the person Fletcher studied
Archbishop
His ethic was personalist and Love - centered
Situatonalist
His view was consistent with Aquila’s judgement
How is Fletchers view similar to Temples?
Shares key assumption that there is one fundamental axiom LOVE
The notion that last justice is Love in action
The insistence on personalism
What are the 3 approaches to moral life according to Fletcher
Legalism
Antiomionism
Situatuonism
What is legalism
Believes that there are fixed moral rules that are universal and should always be followed
Believes it a fault in Christianity and other religious because it leaders to Puritanism making the rule something with greater dignity that the person
What is antinomionism
Denial of possibility of any rules we just follow our own choices
What is situationist
Fletchers position
Absolutely rule of love but has to be applied situationally
What are his four working principles
Pragmatism
Relativism
Positivism
Personalism
Explain pragmatism
Must seek practical solutions which work to achieve success
Explain relativism
He argues that whatever we do must be related to both the facts about ourselves and what we can do aswell as the facts of the situation
Explain positivism
Belief in a God of love or higher good
Because we have this live we must reason our what supports that love in the situation that faces us
Personalism
Requires that we place people not principles at the centre of all moral considerations
Strengths of 4 working principles
Pragmatic - people who work in pastoral areas need ethical system that can be applied to a person rather than rules
Love is central - same as gospel, conforms to commandments
Flexible - benefits pastoral workers
Weaknesses of 4 working principles
Whatever works is morally dubious - does pragmatism dispense truth for utility
Person vs Rules is false - can justify actions regardless if they are sinful
What are the 6 propositions and what are they for?
Should be followed in our judgements of what to do
Love is intrinsically good Love is the ruling norm Love and justice are the same thing Love is equal Love is ultimate Love is situational
What Type of theory is it?
Teleological
