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SITUATION ETHICS (six propositions (2.LOVE IS= deciding factor in…
SITUATION ETHICS
six propositions
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- LOVE IS=the one thing intrinsically good
- For your neighbour, friend or foe
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4 principles
- pragmatism- being practical rather than always following teachings
- Postivisim- love doesn't need to be demonstrated to know it is true & good. Situation ethics depends on people freely choosing faith that god is love, so giving first place to Christian love (leap of faith)
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- Personalism- person centred, focused on putting people first and taking responsibility for others
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Agape
Greek word meaning unconditional love, Christians adopted this word to refer to Jesus' 'sacrificial love'
meaning-core of a life in faith, key measure for goodness/badness, doesn't have to be returned, selflessness
Important note- many argue that this theory is relativist, relativism holds that there are no universals.
Fletcher makes it clear that there is in fact one universal- LOVE, particular judgements might be relative but the absolute maxim of love mush be applied
Conscience
not about a soul/spiritual voice, rather it is a verb, the conscience doesn't simply review and reflect on ethical decisions, it is the process of making the decisions.
William Barclay says that if men are to do this then they must be "morally and lovingly fit" meaning their conscience is effectively built by society, he critics SE, saying that if it worked than laws wouldn't be required because everyone would be good, however they are still needed proving not everyone is morally fit
Evaluation points
STRENGTHS
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you are morally responsible when applying it, as you cannot rely on others or the law
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NOTE: fletcher isn't offering a solution to moral dilemmas, instead it is a guideline to give us principles to consider when making ethical decisions, CONTRASTS other arguments which posit their argument provides an answer
WEAKNESSES
Fletcher is selective in the passages from thebible, choosing ones only about love.
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when love is served in a situation it focus on the people affected, but how far do you go with this (ripple effect)
Teleological approach- focuses on the outcome, but how can you predict the outcome will be love
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doesn't provide simple answers to difficult questions, unlike a rule based on ethics.
PHILOSOPHICAL
Rev. John Macquarrie- argued the argument is fundamentaly and incurably individualistic : never a basis for social morality
D Z Phillips argues that "when one finds oneself in situations whatever one does, one is going to hurt someone"