situational ethics Flashcards
what is situational ethics?
Applied ethics, focussing on the situation rather than fixed rules
extrinsically good
a good with reference to its end outcome
intrinsically good
a good which is good on its own without its reference to its outcome
fletcher believed only agape love was intrinsically good
joseph fletcher?
A priest who thought of situation ethics
an academic who taught christian and medical ethics but died a priest
situation ethics as a teleological theory?
it focusses on the outcome as u decide what to do in the situation
fletcher and his 3 approaches to moral thinking
legalistic- law based moral thinking
antinomian- avoiding law to make a choice
situational- choosing a moral decision based on the circumstances
what is agape love?
love that us unconditional and sacrificial
fletcher on laws of situation ehtics
theres only 1, which is love
every law,rule, norm is valid if theyre done for love
4 working presuppositions (best way to guide us)
pragmatism- from experience not theory
relativism- no fixed rules to obey
positivism- making the positive choice about love for christians its god
personalism- people are the centre of situation ethics
conscience
it doesnt create an action it describes a process
not part of the human being like a mind
storge
parental/maternal love
phillia
friendship love
eros
romantic love
6 propositions of situational ethics
1) love is the only thing intrinsically good
2) love replaces law
3) justice is the distribution of love
4) love sees the good of disliked neighbours
5) love is the goal so it justifies the means to achieve it
6) love decides on each situation without a set of laws to guide it
rudolf bultmanm
argued jesus had no ethics but to “love thy neighbour”
supports 6 propositions
ultimate duty is the love for people
