Situation Ethics on Sexual Ethics

• For Joseph Fletcher homosexuality and pre-marital sex are not wrong provided that the acts are based on love.
• Fletcher is pretty liberal in his approach though he does warn of the danger of promiscuity. People should not be treated as 'love objects'.
• In case of extra-marital sex Fletcher can find ways to justify it in extreme circumstances. In his cases of Mrs Bergmeier and the female agent, the context and circumstances do justify extra-marital relations which Fletcher would not deem morally wrong.
• Situation ethics is person centred, this is a much better outlook to have on sexuality. It is important that people come before rules.
• Situation ethics is flexible but avoids cheapening sex to be casual. This avoids the pitfalls of theories like utilitarianism where pleasure becomes more important than the unitive qualities of loving relationships.
• Situation ethics enables decisions to be based on core religious principles but yet are still flexible to the changing nature of society.
• Situation ethics treats people as adults with autonomy. External authorities such as the church are not necessary.
• Situation ethics follows the example of Jesus who refused to condemn a women caught in adultery.
• Situation ethics overlooks the possibilities of absolutes in sexual ethics. The commandment 'do not commit adultery' is clear.
• Basing the key ideas on Jesus but cherry picking his teachings is a problem. Jesus also was very clear on his views of divorce.
• How far do we use the concept of love? Must we consider the impacts on children who are affected or family who may disapprove of a given relationship.
• While it may be good to give people their own ability to make decisions, this may be too demanding for some. Some need clear guidance from an ethical theory.
• There is a possibility that the theory arrives at the principle of agape based on extreme case studies. Maybe, it is not suited for general rules.