Normative Ethical Theories:
Religious Approaches
3.5 Situation Ethics
Approaches to Moral Decisions (Definitions)
Legalistic Situation Ethics Antinomianism
Has a system of moral standards and Middle ground between Legalistic & Is the antithesis of legalistic
regulations in place for all situations. Antinomianism that emphasises moral A person who practises antinomianism does
judgement over adherence to the law. not adhere to any sort of law or ethical code.
Fletcher - problematic; the complexities of
life need the application of more laws. Actions are determined by the situation in They approach decision-making as though
EG killing with self-defence. relation to the community's beliefs and rules. every situation were completely unique.
However, if LOVE appears to be better suited A moral choice must be made on the spur of
Becomes complicated and resembles to the circumstance, they are willing to the moment.
textbook morality, leaving individuals to disregard these principles.
merely examine the guidebook to determine They are exactly anarchic, that is, devoid of
what is good and wrong. The Agape is the guiding principle that rules.
guides all moral decisions and avoids over
reliance on the law. Fletch argued that his
theory was person centred like Jesus.
, Is Fletcher's Agape a Religious or Non-Religious Concept?
- Fletcher argues SE is a religious ethic that is more consistent with the New Testament as love is shown to be better over any ridgid
law/commandments. Jesus seemed to be prepared to set aside some rules in some cases, usually because a person mattered more than the rule. So he
was prepared to associate with and touch people traditionally viewed as unclean, the sinners, the sick and the tax collectors. e.g. Jesus healing the
man with the paralysed hand on the Sabbath day.
- Fletcher was inspired by Jesus’ gospel message of love and he argued that Jesus taught no ethics other than “love thy neighbour as thyself”. Fletcher’s
six fundamental principles are all focused on the idea of love, for example: “Love wills the neighbour’s good regardless of whether the neighbour is
liked or not.”
Jesus as Evidence
- Situation ethics is linked to both the Golden Rule of Jesus (which outlines that we should ‘treat others as we would like to be treated’) and the
teaching of St. Paul, who clearly outlined in his letter to the Corinthians that love was the most important virtue. “And now these three remain: faith,
hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Jesus regularly put love above the law, particularly when he healed a man on the Sabbath – the Jewish
day of rest, on which it was strictly forbidden to undertake any form of work.
For: Rudolf Bultman Against: St Paul & The Catholic Church
Jesus’ had no other ethics apart from “love thy neighbour as thyself” which is SE is individualistic, but the CC lays out the rules and regulations for Catholics
the ultimate duty therefore everyone should follow, loving others as you love to abide by. The hierarchy established by the Pope and the Cardinals serves as
yourself which is also argued by situation ethics. the foundation for Church doctrine, not each person's personal beliefs.
Both Bultman and Fletcher believe agape is love is the most important love EG sanctity of life. The CC would always consider the taking of another
and that it is the guiding principle that people should follow as this is the person's life to be sinful. On the other hand, SE would base this choice on the
moral teaching Jesus gives and so is the only way we should live, this view situations. As a result, Fletcher's definition of agape isn't particularly religious
supports situation ethics as it also uses Jesus’s teachings on love to argue that but rather just about figuring out what's best for everyone involved. Pope
moral decisions should be made from love and to do the most loving thing Pius XII called Situationism, ‘an individualistic and subjective’ theory which
will ‘justify decisions in opposition to the natural law’.
St Paul does not believe that the ends justify the means and rejects the
concept of 'doing evil in order for good to arise.' This defies situation ethics
since it argues that "love is the sole method,"
Religious Approaches
3.5 Situation Ethics
Approaches to Moral Decisions (Definitions)
Legalistic Situation Ethics Antinomianism
Has a system of moral standards and Middle ground between Legalistic & Is the antithesis of legalistic
regulations in place for all situations. Antinomianism that emphasises moral A person who practises antinomianism does
judgement over adherence to the law. not adhere to any sort of law or ethical code.
Fletcher - problematic; the complexities of
life need the application of more laws. Actions are determined by the situation in They approach decision-making as though
EG killing with self-defence. relation to the community's beliefs and rules. every situation were completely unique.
However, if LOVE appears to be better suited A moral choice must be made on the spur of
Becomes complicated and resembles to the circumstance, they are willing to the moment.
textbook morality, leaving individuals to disregard these principles.
merely examine the guidebook to determine They are exactly anarchic, that is, devoid of
what is good and wrong. The Agape is the guiding principle that rules.
guides all moral decisions and avoids over
reliance on the law. Fletch argued that his
theory was person centred like Jesus.
, Is Fletcher's Agape a Religious or Non-Religious Concept?
- Fletcher argues SE is a religious ethic that is more consistent with the New Testament as love is shown to be better over any ridgid
law/commandments. Jesus seemed to be prepared to set aside some rules in some cases, usually because a person mattered more than the rule. So he
was prepared to associate with and touch people traditionally viewed as unclean, the sinners, the sick and the tax collectors. e.g. Jesus healing the
man with the paralysed hand on the Sabbath day.
- Fletcher was inspired by Jesus’ gospel message of love and he argued that Jesus taught no ethics other than “love thy neighbour as thyself”. Fletcher’s
six fundamental principles are all focused on the idea of love, for example: “Love wills the neighbour’s good regardless of whether the neighbour is
liked or not.”
Jesus as Evidence
- Situation ethics is linked to both the Golden Rule of Jesus (which outlines that we should ‘treat others as we would like to be treated’) and the
teaching of St. Paul, who clearly outlined in his letter to the Corinthians that love was the most important virtue. “And now these three remain: faith,
hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Jesus regularly put love above the law, particularly when he healed a man on the Sabbath – the Jewish
day of rest, on which it was strictly forbidden to undertake any form of work.
For: Rudolf Bultman Against: St Paul & The Catholic Church
Jesus’ had no other ethics apart from “love thy neighbour as thyself” which is SE is individualistic, but the CC lays out the rules and regulations for Catholics
the ultimate duty therefore everyone should follow, loving others as you love to abide by. The hierarchy established by the Pope and the Cardinals serves as
yourself which is also argued by situation ethics. the foundation for Church doctrine, not each person's personal beliefs.
Both Bultman and Fletcher believe agape is love is the most important love EG sanctity of life. The CC would always consider the taking of another
and that it is the guiding principle that people should follow as this is the person's life to be sinful. On the other hand, SE would base this choice on the
moral teaching Jesus gives and so is the only way we should live, this view situations. As a result, Fletcher's definition of agape isn't particularly religious
supports situation ethics as it also uses Jesus’s teachings on love to argue that but rather just about figuring out what's best for everyone involved. Pope
moral decisions should be made from love and to do the most loving thing Pius XII called Situationism, ‘an individualistic and subjective’ theory which
will ‘justify decisions in opposition to the natural law’.
St Paul does not believe that the ends justify the means and rejects the
concept of 'doing evil in order for good to arise.' This defies situation ethics
since it argues that "love is the sole method,"
