situation ethics students

8/9/2019 Situation Ethics Students

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Situation Ethics

Kamil, Maya, Rukhaiya


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What is it? Most ethical approaches are deductive. They have fixed

rules which are applied to the circumstances.

Situation Ethics is inductive. It begins with looking at thecircumstance and then it applies general principles in order

to work out what is right for the particular situation.

This is known as casuistry. (ca-zhu-es-tree)

Situation Ethics is a teleological theory.


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The Christian Approach

"There is only one ultimate and invariable duty, and itsformula is 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' How todo this is another question, but this is the whole of moralduty."- William Temple (1923)

"The law of love is the ultimate law because it is thenegation of law; it is absolute because it concernseverything concrete. ... The absolutism of love is its power to

go into the concrete situation, to discover what is demandedby the predicament of the concrete to which it turns.Therefore, love can never become fanatical in a fight for theabsolute, or cynical under the impact of the relative." - Tillich(1951)


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Joseph Fletcher

Situational Ethics was pioneered byhim (1905-1991).

Founded the modern situational

ethics movement. Fletcher was an Episcopal priest, amember of the EuthanasiaEducational Counsel, and an

advocate for Planned Parenthood. He was a supporter of both

euthanasia and abortion.


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Fletcher's model

Fletcher's model states that decision-making should bebased upon the circumstances of a particular situation,and not upon fixed Law.

The only absolute is Love. Love should be the motive behind every decision. As long as Love is your intention, the end justifies the

means. Justice is not in the letter of the Law, it is in the

distribution of Love.

Founded his model upon a statement found in the NewTestament of the Bible, "God is Love" (I John 4:8).


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God's Word

Wrong It is best not to transgress God's Law under any circumstance,

regardless of your motive. God knows best and instituted His Law for a purpose. He has not given permission to any man to transgress His Law.

o If you will suffer because of keeping His Law, rejoice and be

exceedingly glad, for so the Prophets suffered before you, andgreat is your reward in Heaven. If you can save a loved one fromsuffering by breaking God's Law, do not.

o For you are taking away their opportunity to persevere andreceive blessings from God. Furthermore, you are breaking

God's Law, bringing His displeasure upon yourself.


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StrengthsIt's personal It is sensitive to circumstances, context, particularity, and cultural traditions. Every moral decision is required to demonstrate respect for individuals and

communities and the things that they regard as valuable. Avoids the logical, detached, impersonal ways of thinking.

It's particular Because moral decisions are treated on a case-by-case basis, the decision is

always tailored to particular situations.

It's based on doing good Teaches people that right acts are those motivated by the wish to

promote the well-being of people.


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WeaknessesIt excludes most universal moral truths By doing this it seems to remove any possibility of guaranteeing universal

human rights, and satisfying human needs for a useful ethical framework forhuman behaviour.

It does not provide a clear cut definition of 'love' Love is not defined and therefore can be interpreted in any way.

It may approve of 'evil acts' Teaches that particular types of action don't have an inherent moral value -

whether they are good or bad depends on the eventual result. This means that it permits a person to carry out acts that are generally

regarded as bad, such as killing and lying, if those acts lead to a sufficientlygood result.

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