Situation ethics

SITUATION ETHICS

Social and cultural background to situation ethics:

 

Ethical background:

• Increasingly liberal values in society were at odds with conservative Christian values. Young people especially beginning to Q. Most obviously issues surrounding sex and relationships.

Examples: 

• Student protests against the Vietnam war
• The Beatles 
• President Kennedy before his assassination 
• Martin Luther king, jr

 

 

 

 

J A T Robinson:

• Theologian 
• Developed a theory known as a ‘man come of age’. To come of age meaning to developers in maturity from child to adult, therefor society recognises that they are now capable of making their own decisions for themselves and taking responsibility. 
• Law of love: agape: 

Robinson felt the legalistic approach of divine command (religion) which gave legalistic values (10 commandments, you must always follow them) was no longer necessary (to human society, man has come of age.) and a misconception to Jesus’ values. He argue instead of following strict values, we should make decisions for ourselves (morally) that best promote love and follow Jesus’ values. This is what J meant when he said ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ 

 

• This ethical theory is teleological bc it is cornered with the outcome of actions. 

 

 

 

 

C S Lewis’ the four loves:

 

• He considered agape the highest form of love. ‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love’- jhon 
• Jesus’ teachings spore and the importance of loving ones neighbour across the bible. (10 commandments etc)

 

Biblical support:

Jesus rejects legalism:

• ‘the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath’ 
• Heals individuals with leoprasy, despite texts calling them unclean, sinners etc.
• J saves a woman from being stoned by saying ‘whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first one’ 

 

Divorce:

Ethical issue of divorce:

• Christian’s w legalist values (catholics), made in gods eyes ‘till death due us part’ - cannot get divorced. 
• Instead should consider the dif sitchs based on agape. 

 

 

 

 

FLETCHER:

Situation Ethics:

 

Situation ethics:

• Joseph Fletcher 
• Something is moral if it is the most moral thing to do
• Situation ethics is a tediologcal theory concerned with moral actions reaching a loving goal. 
• Influenced by a throwaway comment made by a cab driver: sometimes you’ve just got to put your principles to one side and do the right thing. 
• Situation ethics is the middle ground of doing good and staying away from bad.

 

Legalism 

Antinomian ethics (anti law)

• Gives no consideration to the individual, the situation or the outcome.
• Purely based on laws. 
• Catholicism has historically been defined as having legalistic approach, since rules are often developed from scripture. 

 

• An individual does not need to comply with religious rules or an established ethical system in order to gain salvation. 
• Will not consult any moral guideline.

 

 

 

Situation ethics = the middle ground of these two. 

Fletchers view= the right choice/ decision is that which produces the most loving outcome/ consequence in a particular situation.

 

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