Situation Ethics
An Anglican theologian Joseph Fletcher developed situation Ethics.
Legalism is the idea that there are fixed moral laws which are to be
obeyed at all times. Antinomianism is the idea that there are no fixed
moral principles but that one acts morally spontaneously. Fletcher
rejects Legalism because it cannot accommodate 'exceptions to the
rule'. If you reject one aspect of the law you surely reject it all.
He also rejects Antinomianism on the basis of existentialist ethics
which argues that reality is composed of singular events and moments
in time.
In advocating a situationist ethic Fletcher argued that it is not the
'primary precept' which is the bedrock for the 'secondary precept' but
quite the reverse. It is in fact the individual and the situation that
is the most important thing as it is the application of an ethical
principle that makes an action good or evil. Within each context it is
not the overriding 'primary precept' that is to be followed, but
instead the law of love 'to do whatever is the most loving thing'. In
the Christian tradition this may be expressed as, 'Love your neighbour
as you love yourself' (Matthew 22:39)
The precept to do whatever is the most loving thing is not a law but a
motive and an attitude that can inform moral choice. Each situation
should be taken differently and act in love accordingly even if that
means breaking established moral rules/codes of practice. For example,
it is considered wrong to steal but if by stealing a gun you are
preventing a person from killing people ...
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...ective.
A strong argument against is the fact love is de-valued with this
argument, situation ethics is fundamentally vague, resting on a very
indefinite definition of love, and could in practice be used to
justify anything. It takes relativism in the sense of opposing an
excess of absolute rules to the extreme of relativism in the sense of
'anything goes, so long as the motive can be described as "loving".'
If the basis of right and wrong is the way actions affect human beings
- as situation ethics agrees - then surely we should just consider
their consequences, and not some conception of how loving the person
in question's motives were.
I believe that with all these weaknesses it leaves the theory very
weak as it can be used to justify anything as it is forcing you to
think from quite a selfish point of view.
One cannot help but think about how these principles can be utilized in one’s personal dealings. Loyalty, decency, and lifting up of your fellows are wonderful ideals to strive for in friendships, marriage, and in the rearing of children. It is difficult to think of any place in our lives that these ideals would NOT be applicable.
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I will strive to do same except when God’s laws contrast with societal laws; in such a case, I will obey God’s laws.
When this class ends I will not stop using these laws, I have realized the error in my ways. I believe that following these laws will bring me true happiness and success.
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