Situation Ethics

strengths and weaknesses for situation ethics 

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Situation Ethics

Advantages

  • it is consistent with the gospel representation of jesus
  • solves contemporary problems with contemporary solutions
  • it is flexible
  • its person centred
  • promotes autonomy of an individual

Disadvantages

  • can justify traditionally evil acts, e.g. theft or adultery
  • difficult to predict the consequences or outcomes of our actions
  • inconsistency with Fletcher: replacing old absolutes with new ones
  • subjective approach
  • individualistic

Evaluation

Although situation ethics is flexible and person centred, it still has disadvantages, as it can justify traditionally evil acts. For example, it could technically justify murder. It focuses on the person, which lets them be happy. It focuses on Agape, meaning love, which means it wants us to do things for love, so adultery could be justified. 

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