Anthology 1 - Barclay (situation ethics)

Question 1

general idea of what ethics means

Answer 1

prefabricated rules via which we classify things as good or bad and act accordingly

Question 2

overview of Fletcher’s theory

Answer 2

goodness and badness are predicates, not properties, they are not predefined and we have to take to situations judgements rather than prefabricated decision - refuses to be absolutely bound by principles

Question 3

overview of agape in situation ethics

Answer 3

not a matter of the heart - a purposeful attitude directed towards others wanting only their goodwill, highly intelligent thing

Question 4

the issue with other types of love that does not apply to agape

Answer 4

never gets worked out to go beyond a feeling and emotion

Question 5

first criticism of situation ethics: extraordinary examples

Answer 5

majority of Fletcher’s examples are drawn from abnormal circumstances where in is much easier to agree such extraordinary situations need extraordinary measure, but less so to think there are no laws for ordinary daily life

Question 6

second criticism of situation ethics: terrifying degree of freedom

Answer 6

totally up to ourselves to make right decision - most would rather apply laws and principles and experience teaches we need certain amounts of law - right use of freedom depends on love, which if insufficient means freedom can become a license for selfishness and cruelty

Question 7

‘if all men were saints…

Answer 7

…then situation ethics would be the perfect ethics’

Question 8

third criticism: doubtful the distinction between goodness and badness can be so disposed of

Answer 8

some things are in no circumstances right eg to start young person in name of experience on experiments which may lead to drug addiction, to break up family relationship in name of so-called love

Question 9

situationist forgets what psychological aids can do for abnormal conditions

Answer 9

Fletcher’s examples surrounding adultery leave out possibility of sublimation - where people sublimate sex drive into other achievements and find fulness in life through those

Question 10

situationist forgets the grace of god

Answer 10

to encourage towards permissiveness is not a cure, but to direct to the grace of god is