Situational ethics

Question 1

What is the theory of Situation ethics?

Answer 1

Situation ethics is a normative, teleological, relative ethical theory that rejects the concept of absolute moral rules.

Question 2

What are the three approaches to morality?

Answer 2

Antinomianism - No laws (freedom)
Legalism - Following all laws
Situationism - A principle that can be applied to different situations

Question 3

What are the four working presuppositions?

Answer 3

Pragmatism - the proposed course of an action has to work
Relativism - there are no absolutes and it always is dependent on circumstances
Positivism - One must accept that love is absolute by faith
Personalism - People before principles

Question 4

What are the six fundamental principles?

Answer 4

1. Love is always good
2. Love is the only rule to abide by
3. Love and justice are the same
4. Love is not unconditional and not liking
5. Love must always be genuinely aimed for
6. Love decides based upon circumstance

Question 5

What are 3 strengths of Situation ethics?

Answer 5

• It gives people confidence to act as it associates moral rightness with moral goodness as the same thing
• It is supported by the Bible (Love your neighbour/enemy/God) making it a Christianised ethical theory
• It teaches good morals by challenging people to be loving intentionally in a creative way and not just fall back on rules

Question 6

What are 3 weaknesses of Situation ethics?

Answer 6

• It is not fit for humans as it requires omniscient knowledge to look beyond consequences
• It claims morally good acts are morally bad
• Laws are required because it is not simple to distinguish between what is the most loving action, situation ethics ignores rules however.