Situationethics-Hodder.pptVIP

Situation ethics Situation ethics:Joseph Fletcher’s four examples Joseph Fletcher In Fletcher’s situation ethics there are four working presumptions, six fundamental principles and four examples. The four working presumptions Pragmatism — the action proposed must work in practice. Relativism — there are no fixed rules, but all decisions must be based on agape. ‘Love relativises the absolute, it does not absolutise the relative.’ (Joseph Fletcher) Positivism — using the principles of Christian love, a value judgement has to be made. Personalism — people are the first concern, not laws. The six fundamental principles Agape — love is the only absolute, it is always good and right. ‘The ruling norm of Christian decision is love: nothing else.’ (Fletcher) This love is self-giving and overrides all laws. This may, for example, give permission to kill if it is the most loving action. ‘Love and justice are the same, for love is justice distributed, nothing else.’ (Fletcher). Justice follows from love and love put into practice can only result in justice. ‘Love wills the neighbours good, whether we like him or not.’ (Fletcher) The six fundamental principles Love has no favourites and therefore does not give preferential treatment to particular people. ‘Agape is giving love — non-reciprocal, neighbour regarding.’ (Fletcher). Love must be the end not a means to an end. ‘Love’s decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively.’(Fletcher) The loving thing to do depends on the situation, therefore what is right in one situation may be wrong in another. Fletcher’s four examples Although most textbooks mention the fact that Fletcher gave four examples of the possible application of situation ethics, they seldom if ever cite the examples: Himself Might his Quietus Make Special Bombing Mission No. 13 Christian Cloak and Dagger Sacrificial Adultery (Mrs Bergmeier) The following slides provide summaries of the four examples. Research Fletcher’s work to find the full versions. Hi