Fletcher's Theory of Situation Ethics

844 Words2 Pages

Fletcher's Theory of Situation Ethics

Joseph Fletcher provoked a great debate amongst Christians. He is

quite clear in the approach he advocates and in no way wants to be

confused with antinomianism, (The belief that through 'grace' a

Christian has no need to obey any moral rules/ laws.

In Fletcher's Situation Ethics; no act is in itself either good or

evil. He likes to speak in terms of principles, (Guiding decision

making): and he stressed particularly the cardinal principle of love.

Augustine had spoken of love in his celebrated remark, "Love God and

do what you want". For Fletcher, love for people is to guide

decision-making.

Fletcher sets out four prepositions, which apply to all ethical

systems. Firstly, one has to ask the question whether a particular

strategy actually works (Pragmatism). Secondly, Fletcher says that the

method must be relativistic. This is to avoid any absolutes. Thirdly,

Fletcher stresses every ethical system requires a faith commitment.

This is instead of deriving principles from reason alone (Positivism).

Fourthly and finally, Situation Ethics puts people at the centre of

concern rather than things (Personalism).

The main parts of his book 'Situation Ethics' (1966), Fletcher

outlines six propositions that underlie his situation ethics, in his

view.

First of all, the only thing, which is intrinsically good; is love.

Secondly, the only norm is love. (For Christian's, this replaces all

other norms as well). This love seeks the best interest of your

neighbour. Fletcher would say that if love can only follow law if it

is serving love. Otherwise, love must always be followed. He argues on

...

... middle of paper ...

...es human

rationality.

Oliver O'Donovan attempted to refine the issue of freedom. He argues

that the situation ethicists are right to point to the freedom from

bondage to the Law of Moses, which the coming of Christ has brought.

There is danger of misinterpreting this freedom. Man cannot close his

eyes to the universe as it already is. The spirit "forms and brings to

expression the appropriate pattern of free response to objective

reality". O' Donovan classified Fletcher as a conservative in ethics.

His position is that knowledge of the past cannot be simply

transformed into knowledge of the present. Ethical decisions faced in

the future can't be resolved by resorting to guidelines from the past.

Fletcher seems inconsistent with his own declaration that no actions

should be predetermined by any moral rule.

Open Document