Theme 2 (Teleological Ethics)

Question 1

What is situation ethics?

+ who made it famous?

Answer 1

A relativist theory of ethics

+ Joseph Fletcher

Question 2

What is the background to situation ethics?

+ what did J.A.T Robinson release?

Answer 2

Came about in 1960s after a series of significant worldwide events.
- post war generation threw off the shackles of authority & law
- Church facing drastic changes
- reliable contraception available

+ a highly controversial book

Question 3

How does the Parable of the Good Samaritan demonstrate agape?

Answer 3

• good nature & good will
• generosity
• freely given
• unconditional
• helping others regardless of what they might think of you

Question 4

What are the 3 types of ethical theory?

Answer 4

Legalist ethics
Antinomian ethics
Situation ethics

Question 5

What is Legalist Ethics?

+ what does Fletcher say about it (+ quote)?

Answer 5

• set of prefabricated moral rules and regulations (e.g 10 Commandments and Natural Law for Christians)

+ when there are lots of laws for one thing it becomes unclear what to do
“puritanical choking web of laws”
+ rejects it and says it needs more flexibility

Question 6

What is Antinomian Ethics?

+ what does Fletcher think of it (+ quote)?

Answer 6

• doesn’t really use an ethical system at all (anarchist)
• making a more decision is spontaneous
• enters decision- making as of each occasion is totally unique

+ critical of it as it’s in unprincipled
“ unprincipled, purely ad hoc and casual”

Question 7

What is Situation Ethics?

+ what does Fletcher say about it (+ quote)?

Answer 7

• situationist is prepared to set aside moral rules in the if they believe it will create a loving situation
• all moral decisions are hypothetical
• lying is justified if love is better served by it

+ “The situationist follows a moral law or violates it according to love’s need”