E- SITUATION ETHICS Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is situation ethics ?
Situation Ethics is a Christian ethical theory developed by Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s. It is a form of teleological (goal-based) ethics and is also consequentialist — meaning the consequences of an action determine its morality.
what does agape mean ?
love — selfless, unconditional Christian love.
what is fletchers key quote?
“Only one thing is intrinsically good; namely love: nothing else at all.” – Fletcher
Fletcher says: Do the most loving thing in each unique situation.
What are the four working principles by fletcher
- Pragmatism = action must work - reaching final telos (Agape)
- Contextual relativism = assessing what is most loving in a situation
- Personalism -= people come before rules
- positivism = faith in love
what are fletchers six working principles ?
- Love only is always good
- Love is the only norm
- Love and justice are the same
4 Love is not liking - love justifies its means
- love’s decision are made by the situation and not the rules
what is antinomianism ?
The belief that there should be no rules or principles directing human behaviour .
Fletcher disagreed with Christian antinomians as he believed they ignored Jesus’ law of love
what is legalism ?
rule based morality
1. Natural moral law - obedience to the rules discoverable through reason and backed upby special revelation
2 Divine command theory - bible based
what is situationism ?
- middle way between legalism and antinomianism
- based on agape
rejects all other biblical views but only accepts Jesus’ - love thy neighbour
Strengths of situation ethics?
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weaknesses ?
