Is situation ethics a helpful method of moral decision-making? Flashcards
(10 cards)
Introduction
- Who was it formulated by
- What does it reject
- What does it try to provide
- What will the essay assess
- What is the LOA
• Situation ethics, formulated by Joseph Fletcher, is a Christian ethical theory rooted in agape (selfless, unconditional love).
• It rejects both legalism (rule-following) and antinomianism (rulelessness), offering a third way: situationism, in which actions are morally right if they lead to the most loving outcome.
• The theory attempts to provide moral flexibility within Christian ethics while still maintaining a principled approach.
• This essay will assess whether situation ethics is a helpful approach to moral decision-making by analysing its practicality, Christian coherence, and moral reliability.
• Line of argument: While Fletcher’s theory offers compassionate adaptability, its reliance on subjective interpretations of love ultimately undermines its usefulness in providing consistent, rational moral guidance.
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1: Situation Ethics as a Principled but Flexible Ethical Theory (AO1 + AO2)
Paragraph 1: Situation Ethics as a Principled but Flexible Ethical Theory (AO1 + AO2)
A01
• Fletcher rejects legalism for being overly rigid and antinomianism for being chaotic.
• Proposes a middle ground: situation ethics guided by agape.
Four working principles:
• Pragmatism – solutions must work in context
• Personalism – people matter more than laws
• Positivism – agape must be accepted by faith
• Relativism – no absolutes; right and wrong depend on the situation.
• Six fundamental principles (e.g. love is the only intrinsic good; love and justice are the same; love justifies the means).
• Famous case study: killing a baby to save a family (demonstrating how rules may be broken to preserve love).
• Fletcher’s view of conscience as a verb – a process, not a fixed inner voice or moral law – separates it from Aquinas’ natural law.
Paragraph 1: Situation Ethics as a Principled but Flexible Ethical Theory (AO1 + AO2)
A02
• Fletcher’s model is refreshingly practical, allowing for case-by-case decision-making.
• University-level critique: However, the theory’s flexibility becomes a liability, as it lacks concrete boundaries and allows for moral relativism.
• The baby-killing example, though illustrative, is morally extreme—most would argue some actions (like killing a baby) should never be justified, regardless of outcome.
• Barclay’s critique: the theory gives too much autonomy to fallible humans; people are not moral saints and may abuse their freedom.
• Robinson’s response—that modern society has “come of age”—fails to account for enduring human weakness and historical examples like the Stanford Prison Experiment or the collapse of legal structures in failed states.
Paragraph 1: Situation Ethics as a Principled but Flexible Ethical Theory (AO1 + AO2)
Conclusion of paragraph
Conclusion of paragraph: The theory’s flexibility makes it appealing in theory, but too risky in practice, leading to dangerous subjectivity and unpredictability.
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2: Is Situation Ethics Consistent with Christian Moral Tradition? (AO1 + AO2)
Paragraph 2: Is Situation Ethics Consistent with Christian Moral Tradition? (AO1 + AO2)
A01
• Fletcher claims his theory is based on Christian love (agape) and is faithful to Jesus’ teachings.
• He interprets Jesus’ actions (e.g. healing on the Sabbath, overturning “eye for an eye”) as proof that love overrides legal rules.
• Counters sola scriptura criticism (literal Bible reading) with a liberal biblical hermeneutic, arguing that love is the overarching biblical theme.
• Critics like Richard Mouw and Pope Pius XII argue that Fletcher selectively uses scripture, ignoring other clear commandments (e.g. “Do not kill”).
• Romans 3:8 condemns consequentialism—doing evil for a good result.
Paragraph 2: Is Situation Ethics Consistent with Christian Moral Tradition? (AO1 + AO2)
Conclusion to paragraph
Conclusion of paragraph: Situation ethics fails to represent authentic Christian ethics and is too subjective to provide consistent Christian moral decision-making.
Conclusion
• Situation ethics intends to offer a loving and flexible guide for decision-making, especially within the Christian context.
• However, it ultimately fails to be a helpful method of moral decision-making due to:
• Its radical subjectivity and lack of moral boundaries
• The unreliable assumption that humans will act lovingly without rules
• Its incoherence with broader Christian teachings
• The theory’s reliance on agape, while noble in intent, collapses under the weight of interpretive disagreements and practical failures.
Final loa
Although situation ethics is motivated by compassion and may serve as a supplementary guide in some moral dilemmas, it is not a reliable or helpful standalone system for moral decision-making, especially when societal or religious coherence is required.
