Situation Ethics Flashcards
Situation Ethics
A relativist theory of ethics made famous by Joseph Fletcher. A Christian should act on what is the most loving thing to do in any situation.
Antinomianism
Rejects any rules and laws, suggests there is no need for an ethical system at all.
Legalism
Set of rules and laws that must be abided by without fail.
Situationism
Looking at the situation at hand and deciding what moral decision to make rather than taking a legalistic approach.
4 working principles
Pragmatism, Relativism, Positivism, Personalism
Pragmatism
Focuses on whether the outcome is practical.
Relativism
The rightness of each action depends upon the circumstance.
Positivism
You must act faith that the most loving course of action will result in the best outcome.
Personalism
You must put people first before the Law.
Agape (love)
An unconditional love for others because they were created in the image of God
Six propositions
Six things that should be kept in mind when seeking a decision.
1) Only One thing is intrinsically good- Love is good in and of itself.
2) Christian decision should revolve around love. Christians should follow Christ’s example- was prepared to heal someone on the sabbath.
3) Love and justice are the same thing- (calculating love ensures the best outcome is served)
4) Love our neighbour regardless of whether we like him or not.
5) The end justifies the means.
6) Love’s decision should be made situationally not prescriptively.
Prescriptive
Giving directions or rules that must be followed. Love should not be prescriptive.
Sacrificial Suicide Example
Fletcher’s example where a patient is told that he can refuse life-extending drugs to ensure that his family is cared for under the life insurance policy that will run out in the next few months.
Mrs Bergmeier Example
To escape the work camp in Russia and return to her family across the border, a guard said that he will impregnate Mrs Bergmeier so she is able to leave. The husband understands her reason for adultery and sees the baby as his own.
Agape over Legalism Example
A young patient in a psychiatric ward is raped by another patient and falls pregnant. Her father wants an abortion for the girl,but the Catholic hospital argues that she is in no physical danger and refuses the request.
