Situation Ethics

The method of ethical decision making that states that you must consider 'noble love' (agape) in decision making and that a moral decision is correct if it is the most loving thing to do

'the morality of an action depends on the situation'

-Situation Ethics came about because of secularisation

-'greater independence, more money in their pockets, weakening of family bonds, development of earlier maturity; modern book, television' (Sex and Morality, 1966)

-These things turned people away from churches rules and more towards secularisation.

LEGALISM- church rules

ANTINOMIANISM- the abandonment of rules

SITUATION ETHICS- a middle way; God 'ground of our being'; our foundation

• American professor -founded SE in the 1960s
• ordained a priest but later identified as atheist

Fletcher's ideas were based on the teachings of Jesus and his discussions of 'old morality' Vs 'new morality' (old test Vs new test)

The right thing to do is based on our own love, not God's. The most loving thing to do is relevant to everybody and is situational. We need to judge each situation independently and should be judged from a point of love.

AGAPE:

The love St Paul and Jesus talked of in the Bible

Should be judged with reason

Is Christian in nature (legalism is too rigid)

RIGHT doesn't always mean GOOD

PRAGMATISM:

It is always what works for the best. No matter the situation, going with what is the most loving thing can only lead to more good than bad. IE, the football team who were stranded and had to eat the dead to survive

RELATIVISM:

Love is the only thing relevant to all situations, unlike laws; universal and equal outlook.

POSITIVISM:

Love is the most important criterion of them all. IE, abortion.

PERSONALISM:

Put human beings and their concerns before the rules. IE, until 1992 it was impossible to **** a wife. Thus by changing it put wives before the law. 

These show us what 'Agape' is and relate to Christian views of love

• Love is always good
• Love is the only norm
  
• Love and justice are the same, and love is justice distributed
• Love wills the neighbors good, whether we like him or not
  
• Love is the only means
  
• Love decides there and then

The Adulterous Woman:

Jesus prevents a woman from being stoned even though the law allowed her to be; personalism

Jesus and Divorce:

Was given because of man's 'sinful nature'. But Jesus claimed man could think for himself and didn't need to be told what to do.