Is SE helpful in moral decision making

Question 1

Introduction: What is Situation Ethics – where does it come from

Answer 1

SE takes normative principles (virtues; NL) and generalizes so that they “make sense” when we experience moral dilemmas

Question 2

Introduction: FOR

Answer 2

Teleological, relativist approach with a focus on individual autonomy and agape (NT)

Question 3

Introduction: AGAINST

Answer 3

Does not take into account the consequences of an action only focussed on the intention of the most loving thing = difficult to judge in a legal system

Question 4

Introduction: POSITION

Answer 4

Not helpful as although relativised to situation which is helpful in a contingent world = definition of “love” could be different for everyone = how do you condemn someone’s actions in the legal system

Question 5

Section 1: THEME

Answer 5

Idea of agape (NT) being between legalism and antinomianism

Question 6

Section 1: AO1

(agape)

Answer 6

Legalism: is someone who follows the rules blindly and not questioning whether these rules are moral
Antinomianism: An individual can do whatever they want in a situation

SE = middle-ground “principled relativism” Recognises that normative rules do not transcend all situations. Whilst adultery/ murder are unethical may understand with equal clarity that they may not apply given the idiosyncratic circumstances in which we find ourselves. Instead should act within the rules and disregard if love is better served doing otherwise.

Question 7

Section 1: AO2 FOR

(agape)

Answer 7

1) Problem with legalism – Nuremberg trials
most of the actions of the defendants were recognized as being legal under the judicial system of the Third Reich
Completely legalistic approach with no reason can have immoral outcomes and justify mass genocide
-By recognising that this is immoral and putting agape at the centre of the judicial system justice is best served

2) Bonhoeffer put love at the centre of his decision making when he decided to go against the biblical law “thou salt not kill” and planned to assassinate Hitler
-If he succeeded thousands of lives could have been saved

Question 8

Section 1: AO2 AGAINST

(agape)

Answer 8

1) Bonhoeffer could have tried pacifist approach i.e. campaigning like MLK in gaining rights and still be following Gods law
-Most loving thing can be misinterpreted or mean different things to each person = not helpful in moral decisions as unclear

2) By failing to recognise the role of rules SE becomes unworkable in practise as it places too much responsibility on individual judgement and people might be blinded by emotion and make the wrong choice in a moral dilemma

Question 9

Section 1: AO2 CONCLUSION

(agape)

Answer 9

Although a strict adherence to the law can sometimes be immoral for certain situations i.e. Nuremberg trials, following blindly the principle of agape love is unhelpful. Could mean different things for each person and lead to immoral outcomes / puts too much emphasis on individual judgment at times when emotions could be running high.

Question 10

Section 2: theme

Answer 10

Idea of Fletchers 4 working principles – are these key to putting at the heart of decision making or are they flawed? (interchange with propositions if question requires)

Question 11

Section 2: AO1

(4 Working principles)

Answer 11

1. Personalism (puts the person first)
2. Pragmatism (for a course of action to be right it
   must be practical)
3. Positivism (posits love as good as God is love)
4. Relativist (there is no absolute)

Question 12

Section 2: AO2 FOR

(4 Working principles)

Answer 12

1) Robinson / Tillich
By putting God at the heart of the decision as God is love it shows that God is immanent and not an almighty transcendent being – oppressive.
-Guided by God to help with moral decisions

Question 13

Section 2: AO2 AGAINST

(4 Working principles)

Answer 13

1) Robinson/ Macquarie: Hard to follow these principles and be unbiased in your decision making as people only see things from their own individual pov. How can parents show the same love to strangers as to their children?

2) Pope Gregory thought slavery was wrong however did nothing as thought most practical thing in the situation to have an ordered society was for slavery to continue = most loving
-Love can be used to justify anything and places too much emphasis on individual judgment on what to do within each situation (no different in some ways to antinomianism - Geisler)

Question 14

Section 2: AO2 CONCLUSION

(4 Working principles)

Answer 14

Although places God as love at the heart of the decision unhelpful for the atheist and unworkable in practise as people won’t show the same love to a stranger as they do to their children. Also love can be interpreted in a range of situations and lead to immoral outcomes (i.e, Pope Gregory keeping slavery even knew it was wrong )

Question 15

Section 3: Theme

Answer 15

Euthanasia - When suffering of a patient is so great that their life becomes unbearable, they should be able to end it as this is seen to be the most loving action.

Question 16

Section 3: AO1

(Euthanasia)

Answer 16

Fletcher’s working principles of relativism and personalism, means euthanasia is not always morally wrong and seems morally ethical as personalism posits how the person should be put at the heart of the decision

Question 17

Section 3: AO2 FOR

(Euthanasia)

Answer 17

Mill’s - ‘Over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign’ - People regarded as having the right to autonomy over their own lives.
-People would know what the most loving action is for themselves and should be able to have the right to decide

Question 18

Section 3: AO2 AGAINST

(Euthanasia)

Answer 18

1) Consequentialist ethical approach means that it is impossible to know the outcomes – ironically love could not be best served as the persons death could cause more harm than good for those still living

2) takes away the intrinsic value of life and could resort to more people turning to suicide when placed in stressful situations at school/work
-so much that contributes to a person’s quality of life and not all of it can be medically measured. An issue as complex as euthanasia cannot be based simply on whether love is best served.

Question 19

Section 3: AO2 CONCLUSION

(Euthanasia)

Answer 19

Although SE does allow for human autonomy, which enables for the person to be at the heart of the descion rather than the law = seems morally correct. However, this approach takes away intrinsic value of life and could lead to immoral outcomes i.e. could be regretted later if followed law/ affected relatives. Selfish ethical approach