1.2.1 Teleology (situation ethics)

Question 1

What does teleological ethics?

Answer 1

• Term applied to ethical theorists that are interested in the ends of actions rather than the means.

Question 2

What are teleological theorists interested in?

Answer 2

• The ends of actions.
• What we expect to happen as a result of our ethical decisions.
• Thinking about the consequence of our actions rather than obeying the rules.

Question 3

What does the trolley problem show?

Answer 3

• The option between choosing 1 person vs 5 people on train tracks.
• Which option prevents the greatest loss of life.

Question 4

How does Bentham’s utilitarianism link to teleology?

Answer 4

• Teleology which holds that the end justifies the means is closely associated with the utilitarian school of ethics.
• The principle holds that the right action is the one which maximises pleasure & minimises pain for the greatest amount of people.

Question 5

Who is Fletcher?

Answer 5

• One of the first theologians to realise the challenge the western church faced from the shifts in moral & social attitudes during the 20th century.
• Fletcher courted controversy for his advocacy of euthanasia & abortion.
• Endured the belief that love should be at the heart of all ethical decision making.

Question 6

What is situationalism?