situation ethics

what type of theory is it

• teleological

• relativist

• christian

who was joseph fletcher

anglican priest, introduced situation ethics in his book ‘the new morality’

what was some social context behind situation ethics

women had a more prominent role in the work force, contraception was allowed, deep dissatisfaction with the war

what is the definition of situation ethics

the rightness or wrongness of an action depends on what produces the most loving action

what does situation ethics emphasise

personal freedom and love, revolves around agape

what is agape

unconditional, self-giving love

what is pragmatism

the decision must be practical and applied to real life situations (eg. helping others)

what is relativism

all depends on circumstances, no absolute rules except the rule of love (eg. divorce can make a family happier)

what is personalism

people are more important than the rules (eg. jesus healed a man on the sabbath)

what is positivism

recognises christian love as the most important criteria of them all (eg. jesus on the cross)

what are some principles of agape

love only is always good, love is the only norm, love decides there and then, love and justice are the same, love is not liking, love is the only means

how does situation ethics differ from antinomian and legalist ethics

antinomian= no rules can be applied as every situation is unique, legalist= follow religious rules to be good, situation ethics= the middle way, use experience to guide but not abandon rules

what examples does fletcher use

hiroshima, and mrs bergmeir - fletcher was criticised as his examples were very extreme and general guidelines could not applied

what did bishop john robinson say about divorce

love is often best served by divorce, agape love is the only intrinsically good thing, sometimes “love requires it”

what are some strengths of situation ethics

• no fixed rules (follows the laws spirit not its letters)

• hugely compassionate (advocates agape)

• weighs up each situation individually

• helped the church adapt to change (attitudes towards homosexuality)

• rules are not always loving (divorce)

what are some weaknesses of situation ethics

• rejected by the church (even BJR thought situation ethics would lead to “moral chaos” / RCC banned it in places of teachings)

• places too much responsibility on the individuals (usually at moments of extreme stress)

• love is no justification for doing wrong (bonhoeffer)

• fails to accept some actions are always wrong (incest / rape)

• can justify immoral actions

what did bishop john robinson say about rules and love

“rules aren’t necessary, love will decide then and there in the situation the best course of action,”

what did william barclay say about rules and law

“man still needs the crutch and protection of the law”

what did vardy and grosch think about situation ethics

not easy to determine consequences, danger of selfishness, good intention is not always morally right