Situation Ethics

• What does Fletcher reject as the traditional Christian approach to ethics?


  Legalism
• Why does Fletcher reject legalism?


  Because it fails to take the situation into account
• What is antinomianism?


  The view that there are no rules at all
• Why does Fletcher reject antinomianism?


  Because it leads to moral chaos
• What is the guiding principle of Fletcher's situation ethics?

  Agape
• What does agape mean?


  Christian love – selfless love of your neighbour
• How does Fletcher determine if an action is good or bad?


  By whether it has a loving outcome
• What are the four working principles of Fletcher's situation ethics?

  • Pragmatism: must take the situation into account
  • Personalism: people are more important than rules
  • Positivism: putting agape at the center of ethics must be taken on faith
  • Relativism: an action is only right or wrong relative to agape
• What are the six fundamental principles of love in Fletcher's ethics?


  1. Love is the only intrinsic good
  2. Love is the ruling norm of Christian moral decision-making
  3. Love justifies the means
  4. Love is the same as justice
  5. Love wills the neighbour’s good
  6. Love must be followed regardless of personal feelings
• How does Fletcher define conscience?

  As a verb, the process of figuring out what the loving thing to do is in a situation
• What does Robinson argue about humanity in relation to situation ethics?


  That humanity has 'come of age' and can be trusted to think for themselves
• What does Barclay argue against situation ethics?


  That it gives people a dangerous amount of freedom
• What does Barclay suggest about human nature in relation to freedom?


  That people will choose selfish or cruel actions if given freedom
• What evidence does Barclay provide to support his argument against situation ethics?


  • Evidence of the corrupting influence of power
  • Examples from failed states and police strikes
  • Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment
  • Literature like 'The Lord of the Flies'
• What does Fletcher's theory risk leading to if implemented?

  Antinomianism
• What is a strength of Fletcher's ethics regarding biblical interpretation?


  His liberal view of biblical inspiration
• What do traditional Christians argue against Fletcher's theory?


  That it ignores most commands in the Bible
• What does Mouw critique about Fletcher's approach?


  That it makes no sense to reduce Christian ethics to only one command
• How does Fletcher defend his approach to biblical interpretation?


  By following the Bible's foundational theme of love
• What does Fletcher argue about the greatest commandment?


  That it supports his approach of prioritizing love over other commands
• What is the subjectivity issue in situation ethics?

  That love is subjective and varies from person to person
• How does Fletcher differentiate agape from general love?

  Agape is Christian selfless love of your neighbour
• What critique does C. Hitchens provide regarding agape?


  That the way a person loves themselves is subjective
• How does Fletcher respond to the idea that Nazis acted out of love?


  By stating that they were not acting based on agape
• What does Fletcher believe about the relationship between love and ethics?


  That agape provides a stable basis for ethics
• What is the main theme of Fletcher's situation ethics?

  Agape as the guiding principle
• What does Fletcher argue about the nature of moral decisions?

  They should be based on love rather than strict rules
• How does Fletcher's view of conscience differ from traditional views?

  He sees it as a process rather than a fixed entity
• What does Fletcher believe about the role of autonomy in moral decision-making?

  That increased autonomy can lead to greater love
• What does Fletcher argue about the importance of context in ethics?


  That context is crucial for determining the loving action
• How does Fletcher's situation ethics relate to the teachings of Jesus?


  It aligns with Jesus' emphasis on love over strict rules
• What does Fletcher's approach suggest about the nature of moral authority?


  That moral authority can be subjective and context-dependent
• What is the implication of Fletcher's view on the greatest commandment?


  That it takes precedence over other commandments
• How does Fletcher's situation ethics address the issue of moral dilemmas?

  By focusing on the loving outcome of actions
• What does Fletcher believe about the relationship between love and law?


  That love should guide moral decisions rather than law
• What does Fletcher argue about the nature of human beings in relation to ethics?


  That humans are capable of making loving decisions
• How does Fletcher's situation ethics challenge traditional ethical frameworks?

  By prioritizing love over established rules
• What does Fletcher suggest about the role of love in moral decision-making?

  That love is the ultimate guiding principle
• How does Fletcher's view of ethics differ from utilitarianism?


  Fletcher focuses on love as the guiding principle rather than the greatest happiness
• What does Fletcher believe about the importance of individual circumstances in ethics?

  That individual circumstances are crucial for determining the right action