Situation Ethics with Reference to Fletcher

• What type of ethical theory is situation ethics classified as?

  Teleological ethical theory
• What are the five key areas discussed in relation to situation ethics?

  1. Background to situation ethics
  2. Agape and its significance
  3. Fletcher's four presuppositions
  4. Fletcher's six working principles
  5. Strengths and weaknesses of situation ethics
• Who devised the ethical theory of situation ethics?

  Joseph Fletcher
• What is Agape in the context of situation ethics?

  Agape is unconditional selfless love
• How does Fletcher's concept of Agape relate to the teachings of Jesus?

  Agape is modeled by Jesus as the highest form of Christian love
• What are Fletcher's four presuppositions in situation ethics?

  1. Personalism: Morality should prioritize people over rules
  2. Positivism: Love is the only intrinsically good thing
  3. Pragmatism: Do whatever works in the situation
  4. Relativism: Morality is relative to the situation
• What is the significance of the Agape calculus in situation ethics?

  It helps determine the most loving action in a situation
• What does anti-nominalism mean in the context of Fletcher's theory?

  It means being against laws or principles governing behavior
• How does legalism contrast with situation ethics?

  Legalism is strict conformity to all laws, while situation ethics seeks a middle ground
• What is considered the only intrinsic good in Fletcher's theory?

  Love
• What is the difference between teleological and deontological ethics?

  • Teleological ethics focuses on the consequences of actions
  • Deontological ethics focuses on the morality of the actions themselves
• How does Fletcher view the extremes of anti-nominalism and legalism?

  Fletcher rejects both extremes and advocates for a middle ground in situation ethics
• Who heavily influenced Joseph Fletcher in his development of situation ethics?

  William Temple
• What does Fletcher argue love should be in Christian ethics?

  Love should be the predominant Christian impulse
• What does Fletcher mean by "love is justice distributed"?

  Love involves fairness and righteousness, not just emotional feelings
• What is the Greek term for erotic love that is not the focus of situation ethics?

  Eros
• How does Fletcher differentiate Agape from other types of love?

  Agape is unconditional and selfless, unlike other forms of love
• What does Bonhoeffer's quote emphasize about love?

  It emphasizes that love is more important than pleasure, honor, or fame
• What scriptural basis supports the concept of Agape in situation ethics?

  • John 15: "Love each other as I have loved you"
  • Romans 12: "Love must be sincere"
  • Galatians: "We love because he first loved us"
  • John 15: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for friends"
• What does the quote "God is love" imply in the context of situation ethics?


  It implies that living a life of love aligns one with God
• What does John chapter 15 illustrate about love?

  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for friends.
• How does the concept of love in John chapter 15 differ from Agape love?

  It emphasizes sacrifice for friends rather than unconditional love.
• How does living a life of love relate to living in God according to the study material?

  Living in love means God lives in you.
• What does Colossians say about love in relation to other virtues?

  Above all, be loving, indicating love should be the priority.
• What three virtues remain according to Paul in Corinthians?

  Faith, hope, and love.
• What is the significance of the quote "love is patient, love is kind" from Corinthians?

  It defines the characteristics of unconditional love.
• What commandment does Mark chapter 12 emphasize?

  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
• How does Jesus' teaching in Mark chapter 12 relate to the concept of love in situation ethics?

  It shows that love is superior to all other commandments.
• How does Jesus' healing on the Sabbath illustrate situation ethics?

  It shows prioritizing love over rigid adherence to rules.
• What is Fletcher's view of conscience in relation to moral decision-making?

  He sees conscience as a process of making decisions rather than a fixed entity.
• How does Fletcher contrast law ethics with love ethics?

  He criticizes law ethics for being rigid compared to the flexibility of love ethics.
• What does Fletcher claim about the nature of conscience?

  Conscience is merely a term for our attempts to make decisions creatively.
• What is the first presupposition of situation ethics?

  Pragmatism, which emphasizes seeking practical solutions.
• How does pragmatism relate to situation ethics?

  It encourages doing the most practical thing rather than adhering to rigid rules.
• What does relativism mean in the context of situation ethics?

  It means that morality is relative to the facts of each particular situation.
• What does positivism assert about faith in a god of love?

  Faith in a god of love is foundational and should come before reasoning.
• How does personalism relate to situation ethics?

  It prioritizes people over rules, emphasizing that people should be loved, not ruled.
• What is the significance of the quote "drop the legalist's love of law and accept only the law of love"?

  It emphasizes that love should take precedence over legalistic adherence to rules.
• What is the first working principle of situation ethics?

  Love is the only absolute.
• How does Fletcher define love in the context of situation ethics?

  Love is the only intrinsically good thing, and it is demonstrated through actions.