E- SITUATION ETHICS

Question 1

What is situation ethics ?

Answer 1

Situation Ethics is a Christian ethical theory developed by Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s. It is a form of teleological (goal-based) ethics and is also consequentialist — meaning the consequences of an action determine its morality.

Question 2

what does agape mean ?

Answer 2

love — selfless, unconditional Christian love.

Question 3

what is fletchers key quote?

Answer 3

“Only one thing is intrinsically good; namely love: nothing else at all.” – Fletcher

Fletcher says: Do the most loving thing in each unique situation.

Question 4

What are the four working principles by fletcher

Answer 4

• Pragmatism = action must work - reaching final telos (Agape)
• Contextual relativism = assessing what is most loving in a situation
• Personalism -= people come before rules
• positivism = faith in love

Question 5

what are fletchers six working principles ?

Answer 5

1. Love only is always good
2. Love is the only norm
3. Love and justice are the same
   4 Love is not liking
4. love justifies its means
5. love’s decision are made by the situation and not the rules

Question 6

what is antinomianism ?

Answer 6

The belief that there should be no rules or principles directing human behaviour .
Fletcher disagreed with Christian antinomians as he believed they ignored Jesus’ law of love

Question 7

what is legalism ?

Answer 7

rule based morality
1. Natural moral law - obedience to the rules discoverable through reason and backed upby special revelation
2 Divine command theory - bible based

Question 8

what is situationism ?

Answer 8

• middle way between legalism and antinomianism
• based on agape
  rejects all other biblical views but only accepts Jesus’ - love thy neighbour

Question 9

Strengths of situation ethics?

Answer 9

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Question 10

weaknesses ?