Situation ethics

• Situation ethics


  An ethical theory proposed by philosopher Joseph Fletcher, a middle ground approach between legalism and antinomianism
• Legalism


  • Morality must come with a strict set of rules that must be obeyed at all times, never break these rules
• Antinomian ethics


  • There should be no rules, no restrictions, humans should just do whatever they want whenever they want
• Situation ethics rejects both legalism and antinomian ethics
• Agape


  The highest form of love, unconditional love for mankind and God's creation, a desire to see everyone's well-being maximized
• Conscience (in situation ethics)

  Not a noun but a verb, the process of using reason and rationality to determine the most loving thing to do in a specific situation
• Four working principles of situation ethics

  • Pragmatism
  • Relativism
  • Positivism
  • Personalism
• Situation ethics sees morality as solely based on the principle of agape love, not a set of strict rules
• Situation ethics is considered a Christian ethical theory by Fletcher
• Situation ethics being a consequentialist theory


  Clashes with Christianity's focus on duty and following the Word of God
• Situation ethics provides no clear framework for resolving moral disagreements or determining the most loving course of action
• Situation ethics relies heavily on subjective interpretations of what constitutes the "most loving" thing to do
• J.A.T. Robinson's situationism


  In Honest to God, Robinson argued that we should stop thinking about God as a remote, transcendent being but instead see God as part of our lives and the ground of our being. Robinson's aim was to demythologise God and make religious arguments fit with modern science within the spirit of the Bible. He argued that religion had to change in order to respond effectively to the atheist argument that religious truths are simply myths. This meant changing the Christian view on ethics.
• Situationism


  Consider each situation individually and use love, charity and compassion to make moral decisions
• Agape


  The greatest love, a love that is selfless and unconditional. This type of love is distinct from romantic love (eros) and the love we feel towards our family and friends (philia). It is an attitude towards others rather than a feeling. We could show agape love towards our enemies if we forgive them, for example. Agape love doesn't change, whether it is returned or not, and implies total commitment.
• For Robinson, agape is the only moral law we should follow


  Divine command theory doesn't make sense. We should consider situations case by case, and determine what the most loving decision is, rather than obey a universal and absolute moral code.
• At the time, divorce was considered immoral because marriage was regarded as a spiritual bond between two people and breaking that bond went against God's absolute command. The conservative view on divorce is clear: the union is metaphysical and only God can dissolve it.
• Situation ethics

  Love is more concerned with love than with rules. Fletcher is not arguing that we should forfeit commandments and religious codes, but argues that we should not obey rules for their own sake. We should put such codes and practices aside if they conflict with the law of love and prevent agape. This approach doesn't relinquish legalism completely-love itself is a law and, most of the time, we should obey religious commands-but it also values individual freedom and accounts for the fact that every situation is different.
• Love and justice


  Love is self-giving and overrides all laws so it may, for example, give permission to kill if that is the most loving action. Justice follows from love and love put into practice can only result in justice. Love means willing my neighbour's good even if I don't like him or her. There can be no love without justice. Injustices such as a child starving or a man arrested without charge are examples of a lack of love. If love was properly shared out, there would be no injustice. That leads Fletcher to argue that justice is love distributed.
• Principles of situation ethics

  • Agape love is the absolute norm, the main point of reference in moral decision-making
  • Love overrides all other laws
  • Justice is part of love, so it is moral to break laws if they serve love
  • Love has no favourite; it is selfless and doesn't give preferential treatment
  • Love is the end, not a means to an end, for example money or power
  • The loving thing to do is relative to the situation
• Strengths of situation ethics

  It combines the positives of deontological thinking in that there is an overarching principle to follow-agape love-with consequentialist thinking. It is simple, effective, pragmatic and practical. It avoids justifying what we would consider immoral actions, something utilitarianism struggles with, and it is flexible. Killing, for example, may be morally permissible in one case but not in another. It gives us moral responsibility. With divine command ethics, we have to follow and obey God; here, we are moral agents in charge of our moral decisions. It is consistent with the overall message of the New Testament but at the same time is compatible with a secular, more liberal way of thinking about ethics. It provides a way for people to make decisions about issues not addressed in the Bible, such as birth control and genetic engineering.
• Situation ethics


  A theory that prioritizes love over rules in decision-making, proposed by Joseph Fletcher.
• Joseph Fletcher


  The philosopher who introduced the concept of situation ethics, emphasizing the importance of love and individual freedom in ethical considerations.
• Agape


  The highest form of love, characterized by selflessness and unconditionality, which situation ethics prioritizes over rules.