Religious Studies- Situation Ethics (Completed)

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  • Created by: 11tibi
  • Created on: 22-04-17 23:39
Who proposed Situation Ethics?
Joseph Fletcher
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Why did Joseph Fletcher propose Situation Ethics?
Because he believed that traditional christian ethics needed to adapt to social changes at the time. Legalism and Antinomianism don't work so another way of ethics is needed.
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What two extreme ethical approaches to decision making did Fletcher reject?
Antinomianism and legalism.
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What is Legalism?
Ethics based off of the law. The law is the only absolute and cannot be broken.
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Why did Fletcher reject Legalism?
Legalism doesn't allow for different circumstances and situations. There's no exceptions which doesn't work in real life situations.
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What is Antinomianism?
Antinomianism has no ethical system at all. Spontaneous decision making.
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Why does Fletcher reject Antinomianism?
Antinomianism has no principles whatsoever allowing the person to do whatever they like. Bad decisions could cause chaos.
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What does Situation ethics take into account when making decisions?
All different sides and information about the situation that the person is in to make a decision.
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What christian principle is applied to the situation and used as a final basis for decisions?
Agape.
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What is Agape?
Agape is a christian principle encouraged by Jesus that mean unconditional, platonic love. It is the only christian basis that it has.
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Why did Fletcher put forward presumptions and principles in Situation Ethics?
To help with the application of the theory to different moral situations.
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How many presumptions did Fletcher put forward in Situation
Four.
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What is the first presumption that Fletcher put forward?
Relativism- No fixed rules but every decision should be relative to Agape love.
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What is the second presumption that Fletcher put forward?
Pragmatism- The solution must actually be practical and work for it to be considered good and loving.
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What is the third presumption that Fletcher put forward?
Personalism- People come first, even before laws. Humanity is what matters.
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What is the fourth presumption that Fletcher put forward?
Positivism- Have to start with a positive choice. Need to want to do good. Shouldn't ask why love.
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What is the first fundamental principle?
'Only love is intrinsically good'
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What is the second fundamental principle?
'Love is the ruling norm, nothing else'
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What is the third fundamental principle?
'Love and justice are the same, for love is justice distributed'
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What is the fourth fundamental principle?
'Only the end justifies the means'
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What is the fifth fundamental principle?
'love wills thy neighbours good regardless'
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What is the sixth fundamental principle?
'Loves decisions are made situationally not prescriptively'
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Give one strength of Situation Ethics.
It puts people first and seeks peoples well being which is good for society.
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Give another strength of Situation Ethics.
Flexible- allows for different circumstances and situations meaning that making decisions is easier.
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Give one weakness of Situation Ethics.
It is vague. There is no actual rules for people to use in situations which could cause a problem when decisions need to happen fast.
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Give another weakness of Situation Ethics.
It puts alot of responsibility on people. People may make selfish acts and think they're acting out of love.
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Which churches follow situation ethics and dont?
Roman Catholic use NML but protestant churches use situation ethics and the bible.
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What (R) should also be used to make moral decisions?
Reason.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why did Joseph Fletcher propose Situation Ethics?

Back

Because he believed that traditional christian ethics needed to adapt to social changes at the time. Legalism and Antinomianism don't work so another way of ethics is needed.

Card 3

Front

What two extreme ethical approaches to decision making did Fletcher reject?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is Legalism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Why did Fletcher reject Legalism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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