Situation Ethics

Question 1

Key Philosopher

Answer 1

Joseph Fletcher

Question 2

Core idea

Answer 2

Agapeic love

Question 3

6 fundamental principles

Answer 3

Love - actions are good or evil depending on if they promote the most loving result
The norm of Christianity is love - Love replaces law
Love and justice - Justice is love distributed
Neighbourly love - a desire of good for another person
The end must be love - most loving result
Situation - depends on the situation

Question 4

Four working principles

Answer 4

Pragmatism - Must work and work towards the end which is love
Relativism - All decisions must be relative to christian love
Positivism - Freely choosing that God is love, so giving first place to christian love
Personalism - Puts people first

Question 5

Critique of SE philosopher

Answer 5

Barclay

Question 6

Barclay’s critique

Answer 6

Men need the crutch and protection of the law as we have not yet ‘come of age’

• Fletcher uses extreme examples which the rules can apply to rather than everyday life
• High degree of freedom
• Unrealistic as to how free we are and to expect us all to choose love
• Law ensures the moral agent considers external impacts