Situation ethics

• What type of ethical theory is Situation Ethics?

  Relativist, consequentialist theory
• Who first developed Situation Ethics?

  Joseph Fletcher
• What inspired Joseph Fletcher's Situation Ethics?

  Jesus' gospel message of love (agape)
• What did Fletcher appeal to regarding Jesus' teachings?

  Rudolph Bultmann's interpretation of love
• How does Fletcher distinguish Situation Ethics from legalism?

  Legalists enforce fixed rules and rigid morality
• How does Fletcher distinguish Situation Ethics from anti-nomianism?

  Anti-nomians shun laws and moral restraints
• What does Fletcher claim about the flexibility of Situation Ethics?

  It is more flexible than legalism
• What are the four basic working principles of Situation Ethics?

  Pragmatism, Relativism, Positivism, Personalism
• What does Pragmatism in Situation Ethics emphasize?

  Moral actions must achieve realistic goals
• What does Relativism in Situation Ethics state?

  There are no fixed laws to obey
• What does Positivism prioritize in Situation Ethics?

  Christian love, rooted in faith
• What does Personalism emphasize in Situation Ethics?

  People come first, not rules
• What are the six fundamental principles of Situation Ethics?

  1. Love only is always good
  2. Love is the only norm
  3. Love and justice are the same
  4. Love wills the neighbour's good
  5. Love is the only means
  6. Love decides there and then
• What does "Love only is always good" mean in Situation Ethics?

  No action is good unless it brings agape
• How does Fletcher define "Love is the only norm"?

  Love should decide moral disputes
• What is Fletcher's view on love and justice?

  Justice is giving everyone their due love
• What does "Love wills the neighbour's good" imply?

  Agape involves sacrifice without expectation
• What does "Love is the only means" suggest in Situation Ethics?

  Ends justify actions if they are loving
• What does "Love decides there and then" mean?

  Moral decisions must be made in context
• What did Bishop John Robinson assert about God?

  Assertions about God are assertions about love
• Who was supportive of Situation Ethics during the 1960s?

  Bishop John Robinson
• What are the strengths of Situation Ethics?

  • Consistent with Jesus' teachings
  • Flexible for tough decisions
  • Emphasizes agape love
  • Resolves conflicts of duty
• What are the weaknesses of Situation Ethics?

  • May not appeal to non-Christians
  • Can justify almost any action
  • Subjective nature of 'love'
  • Unreliable predictions of outcomes
• Who modified Fletcher's theory with Proportionalism?

  Bernard Hoose
• What is the maxim of Proportionalism?

  Never go against a principle without reason
• How does Proportionalism relate to Natural Moral Law?

  It combines elements of Natural Moral Law
• Who created Situation Ethics (SE)?

  Joseph Fletcher
• What influenced Joseph Fletcher in creating SE?

  The hippy movement
• What does SE rebel against?

  Authoritarian deontological morals
• Is Situation Ethics a religious ethic?

  Yes, it is still a religious ethic
• What type of ethic is SE classified as?

  Relativist/teleological ethic
• What does a relativist/teleological ethic consider?

  The consequences of an action
• What is legalism in ethics?

  A rule-based ethic
• How did Protestants and Catholics follow legalism?

  Through commandments and Natural Law
• Why does Fletcher reject legalism?

  It stops people from thinking
• What does Fletcher mean by "prefabricated rules and regulations"?

  They hinder moral decision-making
• What is one reason Fletcher gives for the impossibility of legalism?

  It's impossible to create rules for every situation
• What is antinomianism?

  No ethical system at all
• How does Fletcher describe antinomianism?

  Unprincipled and purely ad-hoc
• Why does Fletcher reject antinomianism?

  People need guidance to avoid horrific actions