Situation ethics Flashcards
(12 cards)
History
Developed by Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s during the social cultural sexual revolution
Rejects two understandings of God
Divine command theory (what is right or wrong depends entirely on God’s commands) e.g. abraham and isaac
Deus ex machina- God intervening from outside
Situation ethics is
a middle ground between antinomianism and legalism
4 pressupositions
personalism people prioritised
positivism love is most important factor
pragmatism must be workable solution
relativism no abolsute right/wrong
6 principles
Love is always good
Love is the only norm
Love and justice are the same
Love wills the neighbours good
Love is the only means
Love decides situationally
“Good Neighbours Normally Judge Moral Situations.”
Unique situations
Sacrifical adultery- Mrs bergmeier
Hiroshima Bombing- justified by the belief it saved lives by ending WW1 quickly
Jean Paul Sarte
Example of young french man choosijg between sick mother(consultant priest) and war (revolution priest)
Highlights ambiguity in moral dilemmas and how situation ethics has no moral guidlines
Freidrich Nietzsche
He argues that God is dead and we need to give meaning to the earth
Criticises christian herd mentality- following the crowd and lacking individualism
We must transvalue values meaning we should define our own right or wrong not following God or Fletcher
He believs human should ubermensch(overman) overcome suffering and transcend humanity.
Weaknesses
Subjective morality means risking making rights or wrongs purely based on opinions
Overreliance on individuals can lead to selfishness in their moral judgment
Unpredictable consequences like Daniel Dennets 3 mile disaster
Willaim Barclay says unque situations are rare e.g. sacrifical adultery ordinary life needs laws
Strengths(4)
As a consequentialist theory, Situation Ethics has real-term effects upon the world, unlike motive-based ethics such as deontology, which may prioritize duty over outcomes. For example, in the case of a scientist developing technology that could either cure disease or be weaponized, Situation Ethics would assess the potential consequences rather than the intent alone, aiming for the most loving result.
Its relativism and flexibility allow for workable solutions in morally complex situations. For instance, in cases like divorce or the assassination of a dictator to prevent mass suffering, Situation Ethics can justify actions that legalistic or absolutist approaches might forbid, offering a compassionate and realistic ethical response.
Pragmatism allows for pratical and workable solutions e.g. unwanted pregnancy
Agape is universal so applies to both atheists and theists
Paul Tillich quote
“Situation Ethics understands God in the same way as Paul Tillich, as the ‘Ground of our being’.”
This reflects the idea that God is not a distant rule-giver but the very foundation of existence and love, aligning with the focus on agape rather than legalism.
Agape John 8
A woman is caught in adultery and brought before Jesus. According to Jewish law, she should be stoned. The Pharisees test Jesus to see if He will uphold the law. Instead, He responds:
“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
(John 8:7)
One by one, the accusers leave. Jesus then says to the woman:
“Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
(John 8:11)
It perfectly models Joseph Fletcher’s principle of agape—love is the only absolute.
Jesus breaks with legalistic ethics (like deontology) and chooses the most loving outcome for the woman.
