situation ethics - key terms Flashcards
absolute
an ethical principle that cannot be challenged
agapeic calculus
Fletcher’s method of measuring agapeic love
antinomianism
the belief that there should be no laws/principles/ governing human behavuour
autonomy
the principle of self-determination, that people should be able to decide for themselves regarding what is in their best interest
conative
brought about by the human will
dilemma
a situation where two or more courses of action are available, but it is not clear which course of action will be the best interests of those concerned
divine command theory
an ethical theory which states that morality consists in following God’s absolute commands that are laid down in Scripture
humanism
a system of thought in which reliance is placed on human intelligence/will, rather than on supernatural guidance (God)
intrinsic good
something that is ethically good in and of itself
norms
ethical standards of proper/acceptable behaviour
normative ethics
rules/theory by which we make ethical judgements
personalism
the presupposition that morality is about persons, not rules
positivism
the presupposition that ethical norms are held by faith, so agape is the only intrinsically good thing
predicate
describes an action in a situation, not a thing itself
pragmatism
the presupposition that we should do what is practical, what works in the situation
