teleological approach to moral decisions Flashcards
what is situation ethics?
teleological ethical theory that approaches every moral situation with an open mind and act in the most loving way
who developed situation ethics?
Joseph fletcher (1966)
why is situation ethics seen as a liberal approach to ethics
fletcher supported euthanasia and abortions in circumstances
what is situation ethics based on?
heavily influenced by New Testament teachings therefor a religious theory
how does situation ethics work?
there is no fixed rules or moral absolutes only one duty and that is to love
what are the four types of love?
phillia - friendship
storge - family
eros - sexual
agape - unconditional love
what two ways does situation ethics disagree on how to make a decision
legalistic way (condemned by Jesus)
antinomian way
what is the legalistic way
every decision is made based on a set of rules
how did Jesus influence situation ethics
many occasions Jesus rejects the law and shows agape love instead
describe how Jesus showed love over the law regarding the adulterous women
Jesus was told that the woman was caught in the act of adultery. Law of Moses it commands us to stone such woman. Jesus began writing in the sand drawing attention away from the woman as they kept asking what do to with her. Jesus said “let any of you who is without sin throw the first stone” they all put their stones down and left
what are the four working principles to bear in mind before making a decision (according to fletcher)
pragmatism
relativism
positivism
personalism
what is pragmatism
decision must work towards love and still solve moral problems
what is relativism
no moral absolutes it depends solely on the situation
what is positivism
u approach every decision asking what Jesus would do
what is personalism
people are more important than laws
what would a situationists opinions be on a homosexual relationship?
nothing wrong with it in principle as we shouldn’t hold a legalistic approach over peoples love. personalism encourages us to put people first
what circumstances would allow an abortion for situationists vs against
if a woman had been raped then an abortion would be deemed moral but if she just didn’t want to have a baby bump then its seen as immoral
strengths of situation ethics?
situation ethics is easy to understand because u only follow one rule to show love
weaknesses of situation ethics?
people desire love in different ways therefor this theory can justify murder rape and lying as the word love is very vague
who developed utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham
why did Bentham create utilitarianism
wanted to find a way of defining right and wrong without the need of a transcendent authority (God)
explain Benthams principle of unity
happiness is produced by the admin
It can’t be for one person alone - Bentham argued that a moral act results in the maximum possible happiness for the majority
what is the hedonic calculus?
a way of measuring how much pleasure our actions would create (created by Bentham)
what are the seven factors within hedonic calculus
intensity
duration
certainty
remoteness - how soon
richness - will it lead to more
purity - will it be free from pain
extent - how many will experience
