1.) Outline and explain Situation Ethics as an ethical theory?

Situation ethics is an alternative ethical theory, particularly influential in Protestant Christianity, similar to utilitarianism, in that it is a way a deciding upon the correct action that is to be taken in a given situation, but where happiness has been substituted for love. It does however take an individualistic approach, with the emphasis being upon each person, rather than on looking after the majority, as is the case in utilitarianism.

The theory is based on love, and revolves around doing the most loving thing for the greatest number of people. It is teleological which means that is consequential and not based on rules.

St. Augustine of Hippo Regius was one of the first to articulate this theory, “love and do what you will””, however it is more closely associated with Joseph Fletcher. An American professor of ethics, Fletcher developed Situation ethics as a result of his critique of Legalism and Antinomianism. Fletcher disliked like the way in which so many ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, were based upon and around a basic set of rules; that is to say, that they take a legalistic approach. He believed that this was too rigid, and that it did not allow for exceptions. He also firmly disapproved of antinomian approaches where there are not fixed moral principles and where one should act spontaneously, because it “Rejects the idea that there are any authoritative laws, rules or regulations that you ought to obey in a decision-making situation.” Rejecting these ethical models, he proposed a more relativist version.

He circulated this theory in the 1960s, having used his beliefs and concerns to come up with, what he believed, was a fair way of deciding what the right action to take in a situation should be.

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Instead Fletcher used love as a general rule in decision making; not “storge” love, to love a country or place; not “philia” love, to love a family member or friend; and not “eros” love, to make love and to lust for someone; but instead “agape” love, unconditional and self-giving love, as is demonstrated by Jesus dying upon the cross. To Fletcher, “agape” love was fundamentally sacrificing, without any reward or pleasure, as the teachings of Jesus are told in the Bible, and he took a lot of his ideas from this. The quote in Matthew saying, “Love your neighbour as ...

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