Situation ethics is a radical Christian moral theory, developed by Joeseph
Fletcher. The only absolute moral principle is to ‘do the most loving thing in
any situation’.
JOESEPH FLETCHER
Agape -> love for everyone
Four working Principles:
- Pragmatism = based on experience rather than theory
- Relativism = based on making the absolute laws of Christian ethics
relative
- Positivism = begins with the belief in reality and the importance of love
- Personalism = persons, not laws, are at the center of situational ethics
Six propositions:
1. Love is the only thing that is intrinsically good
2. Love is the ruling norm and replaces all laws
3. Love and justice are the same thing
4. Love wills the Neighbours's good regardless of whether they are liked
or not
5. Love is a goal that justifies any means to achieve that goal
6. Love decides on each situation as it arises without a set of laws to
guide it
Joeseph Fletcher made 4 working principles to help in moral decision
making- pragmatism, relativism, positivism and personalism which
offers a flexible approach to situational ethics.
The middle road – Fletcher appreciates the strength of both legal
frameworks and freedom from rules but sees both positions as
extremes.
Fletcher. The only absolute moral principle is to ‘do the most loving thing in
any situation’.
JOESEPH FLETCHER
Agape -> love for everyone
Four working Principles:
- Pragmatism = based on experience rather than theory
- Relativism = based on making the absolute laws of Christian ethics
relative
- Positivism = begins with the belief in reality and the importance of love
- Personalism = persons, not laws, are at the center of situational ethics
Six propositions:
1. Love is the only thing that is intrinsically good
2. Love is the ruling norm and replaces all laws
3. Love and justice are the same thing
4. Love wills the Neighbours's good regardless of whether they are liked
or not
5. Love is a goal that justifies any means to achieve that goal
6. Love decides on each situation as it arises without a set of laws to
guide it
Joeseph Fletcher made 4 working principles to help in moral decision
making- pragmatism, relativism, positivism and personalism which
offers a flexible approach to situational ethics.
The middle road – Fletcher appreciates the strength of both legal
frameworks and freedom from rules but sees both positions as
extremes.
