Situation Ethics Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is Joseph Fletcher’s book called
Situation Ethics;The New Morality 1966
What is relatively unique about Situationn Ethics
It’s focus on pragmatism whilst mantaining religion-something generally bound to absolutism
Why does Fletcher reject Legalism
He thought puritanical casuistry, with no room for personal circumstances, was suffocating, binding and rigid, and resulted in rules taking precedence over peopl
Why does fletcher reject antinomianism
Sartre and De Beauvoir teach that people have sole and executive responsibilty for their decisions. Fletcher thought this would lead to an ad hoc, lawless and unprincipled society, as all decisions were erratic and no generalised rules could be established.
What relation do the laws of the land have on decision making in situation ethics
They act as illuminators, but not authorities, in making decisions
What is Agape
Selfless or unconditional love which is the basis, and sole rule, of situation ethics
What issues does Fletcher take with traditional views of conscience
He saw it as a verb, rather than a noun, which actively guided people to moral decisions.
What was Fletchers job
American Episcopalian minister
What Bible quotes support situation ethics
Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath-mark
Let he who is without sin story
Jesus healed on the sabbath-story about saving a sheep on the sabbath-violating it for the greater good
The Good Samaritan
Love is patient love is kind etc
Is Situation ethics relativistic
Yes-there are no absolute standards of right or wrong, just an obligation to perform the most loving action-Fletcher calls it principled Relativism
Is situation ethics consequentialist
Yes-Acts have no innate quality of good or bad, as long as the result is loving. Things like lying and stealing are permissible if they are the most loving thing available.
What is the Boss Principle
Love God through your neighbour
What are the 4 working principles of situation ethics
Pragmatism-Practical-compromising on act for best outcome
Relativism-Everything except love is relative and variable
Positivism-Faith based-Unprovable that love is the ultimate but still the boss principle-bridging is-ought is a leap of faith
Personalism-people at the centre, not institutions or laws
Theological positivism vs theological naturalism
TP-Starting with faith, rather than reason, to arrive at religious beliefs
TN-Using reason, rather than faith, to arrive at religious beliefs
What are the six fundamental principles
Love is the only intrinsic good-as opposed to legalists who claim following the law is an intrinsic good
Love is the ruling norm of christianity-Other rules e.g. against suicide dont matter, as this would mean those who give their lives for others would be condemned
Love=justice-They arent seperate things, and confusing them leads to things like segregation
Love for all-not precluded or excluded on any basis
Loving ends justify the means-As long as the end goal is good and loving anything can be justified.
Love decides situationally-different scenarios call for different measures- a prefabricated morality is impossible
Why does situation ethics say about homosexuality
Rejects legalism-biblical condemnation of homosexuality doesnt stand in the 21st cent.
law as an illuminator-supports gay marriage, but condemns harmful relationships e.g. age of consent
Agape-applied to individuals, not general scenarios-has to be applied specifically, not generally
Personalism-Two people who love each other surely promotes agape-and banning this would removes that-However, if relationship was toxic
What does situation ethics say about polyamory
Rejects legalism-biblical teachings on adultery etc etc
Freedom of individual to choose
As long as no exploitation-results in agape
Personalism-No blanket rules-as long as agape is displayed-6 principles etc
No reason for monogamy to be the only way to have a relationship
Why does fletcher say we should not absolutise the relative
It goes against personalism and encourages legalism by makin g sweeping statements about certain practices
