Situation Ethics

• Who created situation ethics?

  Joseph Fletcher
• In which decade was situation ethics developed?

  The 1960s
• What social movements characterized the 1960s?

  Radical social movements
• What dilemma does religion face in modernizing times?

  Adapt and reform or ignore changes
• How does Fletcher's approach embody liberal Christianity?

  By rejecting strict adherence to moral laws
• What is the overarching theme of Jesus' ethics according to Fletcher?

  Love
• What is legalism in ethics?

  Fixed rules to follow
• What does antinomianism advocate?

  No rules or laws to follow
• What does Fletcher claim about situation ethics?

  It is a middle ground between legalism and antinomianism
• What is the downside of legalism according to Fletcher?

  It cannot take the situation into account
• What is the downside of antinomianism?

  It leads to moral chaos
• What is the upside of legalism?

  It provides clear guidance for people
• What is the upside of antinomianism?

  It takes the situation into account
• What is the single absolute principle in situation ethics?

  Love
• What does Fletcher say about the action that is good?

  It has the most loving consequence
• What does Agape represent in Christianity?

  Unconditional love
• What does Fletcher interpret Jesus' greatest commandment to mean?

  Other rules have value if they enable Agape
• What example does Fletcher give regarding the 10 commandments?

  A family hiding from bandits
• What are the four working principles of situation ethics?

  Pragmatism, Relativism, Positivism, Personalism
• What is Pragmatism in situation ethics?

  • Action must fit the reality of the situation
• What does Relativism mean in Fletcher's theory?

  • Absolutes become relative to love
  • Not total relativism; only valid claims relative to love
• What is Positivism in situation ethics?

  • Ethics begins with faith in love
  • Reason alone cannot justify love
• What does Personalism emphasize in situation ethics?

  • People are prioritized over rules
  • Rules can be broken for humanity's good
• What is the first fundamental principle of situation ethics?

  Only love is intrinsically good
• What does the second fundamental principle state?

  The ruling norm is love; nothing else
• How does Fletcher define love and justice?

  Justice is love distributed
• What does the fourth fundamental principle state?

  Love wills the neighbour's good
• What does the fifth fundamental principle state?

  Only the end justifies the means
• What does the sixth fundamental principle state?

  Love decides in the moment
• How does Fletcher view conscience?

  As a verb, not a noun
• What is a strength of situation ethics according to Fletcher?

  It is designed for modern society
• What does Barclay argue about situation ethics?

  It gives too much freedom to moral agents
• What does Barclay believe about freedom and love?

  Freedom can lead to selfishness without love
• What is Fletcher's final judgment defending situation ethics?

  Legalism has worse downsides
• What is Fletcher's view on the direction of history?

  People are becoming more educated and civilized
• What is the final judgment critiquing situation ethics?

  People may choose selfish actions with freedom
• What psychological concept relates to the critique of situation ethics?

  Power corrupts
• What does Fletcher argue about the Bible's role in ethics?

  It should not be a legalistic rules book
• What does Fletcher say about ethical teachings in the Bible?

  They offer paradigms or suggestions
• What is the criticism of Fletcher's approach to the Bible?

  It ignores many teachings in the Bible