Situation Ethics

What is it based on?

It is based on agape love (Christian unconditional love), and says that we should always do the most loving thing in any situation.

What was Joseph Fletchers opinion on rules?

Fletcher rejected following rules regardless (legalism) and also the idea that we should not have any rules (antinomianism) and said that we need to find a balance between the two.

What is Pragmatism?

it has to work in daily life - it must be practical

Relativism

There should be no fixed rules, it is relative based on the situation

Positivism

it must put faith before reasoning - I’m chrsitian what shouId I do

Personalism

People should be at the centre of the theory.

What are these four part of?

The four working principles

what are the 6 fundamental principles

Love is the only absolute (it is intrinsically good)

Christian decision making is based on love

Justice is love distributed

. Love wants the good for anyone, whoever they are

only the ends justifies the means

Love’s decisions are made situationally, not prescriptivel

Advantages of Situation Ethics

The key advantage is that it uses rules to provide a framework but allows people to break rules to reflect life's complexities.

Disadvantages of Situation Ethics

It does not provide a clear definition of what love actually is.

Subjectivity criticism

Some might say it is too subjective – because decisions have to be made from within the situation. Humans do not have a bird’s eye view on a situation so have difficulty in seeing what the consequences will be.

The pollution of agape

Agape love is too much to aspire to and may be polluted by a selfish human tendency.

Love of family

It is human nature to love family more than strangers.

Legalistic issues

We do not know whose rules to follow, everyone thinks they are doing what is best - leading to moral chaos.

What is st pauls criticism

You cannot be all things to all men

What does mcormick say

Weakness that it is vague enough to appeal to those who follow utilitarianism

Fletchers positive personalism quote

Disinterested but compassionate concern for one’s neighbours

Robinsons simple quote on it

The only ethic for the man come of age

Tillich practical quote

Love is the ultimate law as it is the negation of the law