Situation Ethics Knowledge Flashcards
Act utilitarianism
We should perform the act which will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil
What are teleological theories ?
Moral goodness is determined b the end or result
What does subjective mean ?
Right and wrong depend on the pov of the individual
What are situation ethics ?
Trys to get to the most loving outcome
What is relativism ?
Actions are good or bad relative to the situation
What is positivism ?
Proposes something as true or good without demonstrating it
What is personalism?
Ethics centred on people rathe than laws
What are meta ethics ?
Ethics concerned with the justification of ethics and the meaning of language used
What is legalism ?
Law based on moral theory
What is antinomianism ?
Do not recognise the role of the law in ethics
What is altruism ?
Any theory which puts the needs of others before oneself
What is agape ?
Unconditional love
Who made the situation ethics approach ?
American Christian Minister Joseph Fletcher during the 1960’s
What did Joseph fletcher suggest ?
Love should be the only principle upon which to make moral choices
A good action is one which aims to do the most loving thing
A person should only obey rules in the bible if it is the most loving thing to do
What is the verse from Luke which stresses the importance of love in making moral choices ?
“Love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your heart , and with all your soul , and with all your strength , and with all your mind:and love your neighbour as yourself
What is the verse from John 15:13 which stresses the importance of love when making moral choices ?
“Greater love has no man than this , that a man lay down his life for his friends “
What is the verse from 1 john 3:23 which stresses the importance of love when making moral choices ?
“And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ and
love one another , just as he has commanded us “
What is the first of the six propositions ?
“Only one thing is intrinsically good,namely love:nothing else at all”
Explain the first of the 6 principles ?
Only love is truly good in itself , Fletch calls love the one regulativo principle of christian ethics
What is the second of the 6principles ?
“The ruling norm of christian decision is love , nothing else “
Explain the second of the 6 principles ?
Christian decision making is based on love
Where laws and love conflict , we must follow love
What is the third of the 6 principles ?
“Love and justice are the same , for justice if love distributed nothing else “
Explain the third of the 6 principles ?
Justice is love distributed
Justice is christian love applied rationally in a calculated manner
What is the fourth of the 6 principles ?
“Love wills the neighbour good , whether we like him or not “
Explain the fourth of the 6 principles ?
Love wants the good for anyone , whoever they are
Love is a selfless commitment or decision to treat others the best we can
Good Samaritan shows that everyone is a potential neighbour
What is the fifth of the 6 principles ?
“Only the end justifies the mean , nothing else “
Explain the fifth of the 6 principles ?
If our aim is love then any means of achieving love is justified
Whether the end is worthwhile that determines whether the action is worthwhile
What is the sixth of the 6 principles ?
“Loves decisions are made situationally not prescriptively “
Explain the sixth of the 6 principles ?
We have to gather the facts , rather than decide the case before we know the facts
How is situation ethics relativist ?
Th right thing to do depends on the context
What are the 6 principles ?
They never lie fletchers situation ethics
What is the purpose of the four working principles ?
Fletcher aimed to fulfil them whilst writing his theory
What are the 4 working principles ?
Pragmatism
Relativism
Positivism
Personalism
What is agape ?
Charity , unconditional love
Summary of the ethics of jesus
It is the greatest type of live
Why is agape the greatest type of love ?
It exists regardless of the circumstances
Type of love which can only be practiced with gods help
What are the 4 types of Greek love ?
Storge
Philia
Eros
Agape
What is storge ?
Love based on family connections
What is philia ?
Close friendship
What is Eros ?
A sexual love
What are CS Lewis two type of love ?
Gift love
Need love
What is gift love ?
Inspires you to care for others
you see in action when someone helps someone
What is need love ?
Our need for love and comfort
We want people to love and protect us
How does CS Lewis describe affection love ? (storge )
Parent love for a child
Most natural type of love
NEED LOVE
How does CS Lewis describe friendship love ?(philia )
Least like the love of god
It needs nurturing to keep it going
GIFT LOVE
How does CS Lewis describe Eros love ?
Being in love can include sex but doesn’t have to
Willing to turn your life around for your loved one
GIFT LOVE
How does CS Lewis describe charity love ?
Greatest of the 4 loves
Most christian
Need to focus on this and not the other ones
You desire what is best for others
GIFT LOVE
What is Sophia ?
(Greek for wisdom )
General principles , what rules you have to break
What is kairos ?
Time that somebody has to make the decision
What is an example of situation ethics with jesus ?
He broke the sabbath to heal people
What is another biblical example of situation ethics ?
Good Samaritan
Reinforces the idea of love for ones neighbour , regardless whether we like them or not
What is the teaching from 1 Corinthians 13:3 , that shows that you shouldn’t do things for the affection of others ?
“If i give all iI posses to the poor and give over my body to hardship that i may boast nit do not have love , i gain nothing “
What is the teaching from 1 Corinthians 13:13 , that says that love is the most important thing of the most important 3 things ?
“And now these three remain:faith,hope and love.but the greatest of these is love “
What is the teaching from 1 john 2:9-10 which shows that anyone who is loving is a good person ?
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness”
What is super altruism ?
Altruism that puts the person at a significant risk
What is conscience often seen as ?
A noun
Either the voice of god within us or an inbuilt reasoning tool in the thinking of quinas
Who said that conscience is the voice of god within us ?
Catholic thinker J H Newman
What does fletcher say that conscience is ?
It is a verb
Refers to a process of deciding
Why is situation ethics an individualistic theory ?
You have to make the decision yourself
What evidence of agape is there in the New Testament ?
“Love thy neighbour “
Good Samaritan
“Love one another as i have loved you”
Jesus died for us
What are the advantages of situation ethics ?
Uses rules to provide a framework but allows people to. Break rules to reflect life’s complexities
What are the disadvantages of situation ethics ?
Does not provide a clear definition of what love is
Could be too subjective
It is human nature to love family more than strangers
We do not know whose rules to follow
What are legalistic ethics ?
Has a set of moral rules and regulations
What are some characteristics which situation ethics is based on ?
It focuses on jesus dialogue
Focuses on positivism and personals
Rejection of absolute rules
Solves moral dilemmas situationally and ircumstantially
Why do some christians think that situation ethics is wrong ?
Believe they should follow the 10 commandments instead of relying on their own ideas
What does fletcher say about legalism ?
Fletcher rejects legalistic ethics. He says “the error made by Catholics is their adherence and devotion to natural law
Why is situation ethics flexible and practical ?
It considers the situation and consequences e.g. a pregnancy as a result of rape. Natural law is inflexible.
Explain how situation ethics follows the teachings of jesus ?
It’s only absolute principle is agapeic love. This is a core belief of Jesus . He did not judge prostitutes or outcasts. He broke the Sabbath rules and put people first. He healed people who needed healing and fed the poor.
Explain why situation ethics are not christian ?
Too individualistic and subjective, prioritises the individual and no God. Christians should follow Natural Law, God’s will. The 10 commandments are the absolute rules as set by God.
