Situation ethics

What is situation ethics?

moral theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action

In situation ethics what do right and wrong depend on?

they depend on the situation- there are no universal rights or wrongs because morality is subjective

Give a quote from the bible that states that homosexuality should be abstained.

‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable’ - Leviticus 18:22

Define a polymerous relationship

A romantic or intimate relationship between more than two people, which all the participating parties are aware of and fully consent to

What is one approach the catholic church has taken in understanding religious laws and homosexuality?

Forming a distinction between same sex sexual acts and being homosexual

What are same-sex acts considered as in the eyes of the Catholic Church?

They are seen as ‘intrinsically disordered’, on the basis that they are not reproductive and are, therefore absolutely forbidden. Gay and bi people are called to live a chaste life

what was situation ethics first devised as?

originally devised in a Christian context, however can be applied to non-religious contexts as well

what are the five elements of situation ethics?

• moral judgements are decisions, not conclusions

• only one thing is intrinsically good, namely love, nothing else

• love ‘‘wills the neighbours good’’, whether we like them or not

• love and justice are the same, for justice is love distributed

• the rightness depends on many factors

When was ‘Situation Ethics at work’ published and who wrote it?

Joseph Fletcher in 1967

What is legalism?

Legalism is the view that people require fixed rules to follow

What is antinomianism?

Antinomianism is the view that there are no rules or laws to follow at all. Fletcher claimed that his situation ethics was a middle ground which avoids the problems of each extreme while retaining the benefit of each

What is the downside of legalism and the upside?

• The downside of legalism is that it cannot take the situation into account, the downside of antinomianism is that it leads to moral chaos.

• The upside of legalism is that it has clear guidance for people to follow, the upside of antinomianism is that it takes the situation into account

What is teleological ethics?

Teleological ethics is a theory of morality that determines the rightness of an action by its outcome or end