WJEC A Level Religious Studies - Religion and
Ethics
Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism - Flashcard Set
71 edited question-and-answer cards
Question Answer
Who is the main scholar behind Joseph Fletcher.
Situation Ethics?
What is Situation Ethics? Situation Ethics judges what is right by applying self-giving
agape to the particular circumstances rather than treating a
detailed set of moral rules as absolute.
Who described Fletcher's view J.A.T Robinson in his book Honest to God.
as the only ethic for "man come
of age"?
What is agape? Jesus' gospel message of selfless love.
Why might Situation Ethics It presents neighbour-love as the controlling principle of
appeal to Christians? Christian ethics and draws on Jesus' command to love God
and one's neighbour.
What is antinomianism? Antinomianism rejects binding moral laws and approaches
each situation without an established guiding principle.
What is legalism? Legalism treats moral rules as binding regardless of the
particular people, motives and consequences involved.
Fletcher's view on legalism. "What can be worse, no casuistry at all may reveal a
punishing and sadistic use of law to hurt people instead of
helping them."
Why did Fletcher reject He saw it as "the approach with which one enters into the
antinomianism? decision-making situation armed with no principles or
maxims whatsoever, to say nothing of rules."
Quote by Fletcher describing "Has only one norm or principle or law that is binding and
situation ethics. unexceptional, always good and right regardless of the
circumstances. That is 'love' - the agape of the summary
commandment to love God and the neighbour."
How does Fletcher understand Conscience is not a separate inner faculty that supplies
conscience? answers. It is the process of making a loving decision in a
particular situation.
What is Fletcher's view on Rejects the idea that morality is a manual for the conscience.
morality and the conscience? It is not life-centred nor person-oriented.
Quote by Tillich about situation "The law of love is the ultimate law because it is the negation
ethics. of law it is absolute because it concerns everything."
Biblical evidence supporting • Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Fletcher's approach. • 1 Corinthians 13 - Love is...
• The Loving Father (Prodigal Son).
• Death on a cross.
How is situation ethics a form Recognises no universal moral norms or rules and proposes
of moral relativism/a that each situation has to be looked at independently. Only
consequentialist theory? the principle of agape is binding and unexceptionable.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
, Question Answer
Why can situation ethics be Situationists must always uphold the law of love, a priori.
described as principled Encourages individuals to reflect on laws and gives them the
relativism? option of determining their own actions in specific
circumstances.
How is situation ethics as Makes moral judgements based on the outcome of an action.
teleological theory? Concerned with end purpose (telos) of any proposed action.
What are Fletcher's four Pragmatism: the proposed action must work in practice;
working principles? relativism: rules are relative to agape; positivism: love is
accepted as the starting commitment; personalism: people
take priority over rules.
Quote about relativism. "Love relativises the absolute, it does not absolutise the
relative." Fletcher.
What are the six fundamental • Agape - Love is the only absolute, it is always good and
principles of Fletcher's right.
situation ethics? • This love is self-giving and overrides all laws for example,
murder.
• Justice follows from love and love put into practice can only
result in justice.
• Love has no favourites and therefore does not give
preferential treatment to particular people.
• Love must be the end not a means to an end.
• The loving thing to do depends on the situation.
Quote for love must be the end "Love's decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively."
not a means to an end.
Quote by Romans 2:15. "They show that what the law requires is written on their
hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness."
Strengths of situation ethics. • Clear, straightforward.
• Flexible that takes in account different situations.
• Enables people to be responsible.
• Focused on humanity and concern for others.
Weaknesses of situation ethics. • Rejects traditional Christian views.
• Can be seen as too subjective.
• Thought to be too vague.
• Seen as a Utopian theory which is out of place in the very
secular and materialistic world of the 21st century.
Quote from Sex and Morality, "Greater independence; more money in their pockets and
SCM, 1966. purses;the weakening of family bonds and religious
influences; the development of earlier maturity, physically,
emotionally and mentally; the impact of modern books,
television and periodicals."
What was the name of Situation Ethics: The New Morality.
Fletcher's controversial 1966
book?
What was his book a call for? Personal moral responsibility among Christians.
What is hesed or chesed? A Hebrew term for steadfast loving-kindness, especially the
faithful covenant love shown by God.
What is ahavah? Ahavah is a Hebrew term for love. It helps provide the Jewish
background to the Christian concept of agape.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
Ethics
Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism - Flashcard Set
71 edited question-and-answer cards
Question Answer
Who is the main scholar behind Joseph Fletcher.
Situation Ethics?
What is Situation Ethics? Situation Ethics judges what is right by applying self-giving
agape to the particular circumstances rather than treating a
detailed set of moral rules as absolute.
Who described Fletcher's view J.A.T Robinson in his book Honest to God.
as the only ethic for "man come
of age"?
What is agape? Jesus' gospel message of selfless love.
Why might Situation Ethics It presents neighbour-love as the controlling principle of
appeal to Christians? Christian ethics and draws on Jesus' command to love God
and one's neighbour.
What is antinomianism? Antinomianism rejects binding moral laws and approaches
each situation without an established guiding principle.
What is legalism? Legalism treats moral rules as binding regardless of the
particular people, motives and consequences involved.
Fletcher's view on legalism. "What can be worse, no casuistry at all may reveal a
punishing and sadistic use of law to hurt people instead of
helping them."
Why did Fletcher reject He saw it as "the approach with which one enters into the
antinomianism? decision-making situation armed with no principles or
maxims whatsoever, to say nothing of rules."
Quote by Fletcher describing "Has only one norm or principle or law that is binding and
situation ethics. unexceptional, always good and right regardless of the
circumstances. That is 'love' - the agape of the summary
commandment to love God and the neighbour."
How does Fletcher understand Conscience is not a separate inner faculty that supplies
conscience? answers. It is the process of making a loving decision in a
particular situation.
What is Fletcher's view on Rejects the idea that morality is a manual for the conscience.
morality and the conscience? It is not life-centred nor person-oriented.
Quote by Tillich about situation "The law of love is the ultimate law because it is the negation
ethics. of law it is absolute because it concerns everything."
Biblical evidence supporting • Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Fletcher's approach. • 1 Corinthians 13 - Love is...
• The Loving Father (Prodigal Son).
• Death on a cross.
How is situation ethics a form Recognises no universal moral norms or rules and proposes
of moral relativism/a that each situation has to be looked at independently. Only
consequentialist theory? the principle of agape is binding and unexceptionable.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
, Question Answer
Why can situation ethics be Situationists must always uphold the law of love, a priori.
described as principled Encourages individuals to reflect on laws and gives them the
relativism? option of determining their own actions in specific
circumstances.
How is situation ethics as Makes moral judgements based on the outcome of an action.
teleological theory? Concerned with end purpose (telos) of any proposed action.
What are Fletcher's four Pragmatism: the proposed action must work in practice;
working principles? relativism: rules are relative to agape; positivism: love is
accepted as the starting commitment; personalism: people
take priority over rules.
Quote about relativism. "Love relativises the absolute, it does not absolutise the
relative." Fletcher.
What are the six fundamental • Agape - Love is the only absolute, it is always good and
principles of Fletcher's right.
situation ethics? • This love is self-giving and overrides all laws for example,
murder.
• Justice follows from love and love put into practice can only
result in justice.
• Love has no favourites and therefore does not give
preferential treatment to particular people.
• Love must be the end not a means to an end.
• The loving thing to do depends on the situation.
Quote for love must be the end "Love's decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively."
not a means to an end.
Quote by Romans 2:15. "They show that what the law requires is written on their
hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness."
Strengths of situation ethics. • Clear, straightforward.
• Flexible that takes in account different situations.
• Enables people to be responsible.
• Focused on humanity and concern for others.
Weaknesses of situation ethics. • Rejects traditional Christian views.
• Can be seen as too subjective.
• Thought to be too vague.
• Seen as a Utopian theory which is out of place in the very
secular and materialistic world of the 21st century.
Quote from Sex and Morality, "Greater independence; more money in their pockets and
SCM, 1966. purses;the weakening of family bonds and religious
influences; the development of earlier maturity, physically,
emotionally and mentally; the impact of modern books,
television and periodicals."
What was the name of Situation Ethics: The New Morality.
Fletcher's controversial 1966
book?
What was his book a call for? Personal moral responsibility among Christians.
What is hesed or chesed? A Hebrew term for steadfast loving-kindness, especially the
faithful covenant love shown by God.
What is ahavah? Ahavah is a Hebrew term for love. It helps provide the Jewish
background to the Christian concept of agape.
Unofficial independent revision resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC/CBAC or Eduqas.
