Situational ethics definition of situational ethics by. Ethics, then, is generally viewed as the system or code by which attitudes and actions are determined to be either right or wrong jackson, p. Situational ethics states that if there is a right and wrong, it is merely determined by the desired outcome of the situation. Whether we ought to follow a moral principle or not would always depend upon the situation. Situation ethics flies under the banner of the new morality. In professional philosophy we do not typically consider this to be the definition of ethics.
Once ordained as an episcopal priest he taught christian ethics at episcopal divinity school and at harvard divinity school from 1944 to 1970. The first is that the name new morality is really a misnomer. Joseph fletcher ranks among the most influential intellectuals of the twentieth century. Situation ethics introduction in the introduction to the situation ethics. Situation ethics tutors and online course available now tutoring and online course for a level students, with both content and training in a grade writing skills. Using ancient philosophy to live a modern life by massimo pigliucci, eating animals by jonathan sa. Since then, almost every publication on situational ethics has referred to the model presented in fletchers writings. Although his ideas were rooted in the bible they were new, and to some shocking. Situational ethics psychology wiki fandom powered by wikia. Purposely, however, we have chosen to use the term situation ethics. Situational ethics dictate that the moral path be decided by the context of the issue at hand, rather than have a textbook judgment for everything.
Joseph fletcherin 1966 joseph fletcher, an american theologian, published a book, situation ethics, in which he outlines a new approach to christian ethical decision making. A system of ethics that evaluates acts in light of their situational context rather than by the application of moral absolutes. Commenting on the philosophy of situational ethics, elwells evangelical dictionary of theology says. In 1966 joseph fletcher, an american theologian, published a book, situation ethics, in which he outlines a new approach to christian ethical decision making. Consistencythe absence of contradictionshas sometimes been called the hallmark of ethics. Igniting a firestorm of controversy upon its publication in 1966, joseph fletchers situation ethics was hailed by many as a muchneeded reformation of moralityand as an invitation to anarchy by others. Everything from aristotles ethics to the ethics of ai covered. Ethical issues include abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, war, infertility treatment. An 800page scholarly overview is unlikely to be best for someone looking for a short beginnerfriendly introduction, for. The oxford dictionary of philosophy by blackburn, s. Ethics resources for students and teachers ocr a level rs philosophy and ethics. The best book for you will depend on your preferred learning style and the amount of time that you want to spend reading about ethics. Like many philosophers, frederick copleston had his reservations, but. However, the book covers only 4 major ethical theories.
Reallife examples to help you understand situational ethics better. Men like emil brunner the divine imperative, reinhold niebuhr moral man and immoral society, harvey cox the secular city. Situational ethics is the philosophical position that although there are a few universal truths, different situations call for different responses. Joseph francis fletcher 19051991 was an american professor who propounded the theory of situational ethics in the 1960s, and was a pioneer in the field of bioethics. This is not an example of the work produced by our essay writing service.
Situational ethics a philosophy which promotes the idea that, when dealing with a crisis, the end justifies the means and that a rigid interpretation of rules and laws can be set aside if a greater good or lesser evil is served by doing so. Situational ethics is a particular view of moral ethics that holds that the morality of an act is determined by its context. Pdf situation ethics download full pdf book download. Fletcher and others argued that moral and legal absolutes are inflexible and do not allow for rational, thinking humans to make choices and decisions based on the specifics and characteristics of social events. Fletcher developed his theory of situational ethics in his books. Ethics is the science of conduct, and the fundamental problem of ethics is determining what constitutes proper conduct 1948, p.
Ethics from the ancient greek ethikos, meaning theory of living is one of the major branches of philosophy, one that covers the analysis and employment of concepts such as right, wrong, good, evil, and responsibility. Fletcher was a professor of christian ethics at harvard university. Situational ethics wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ethics in practice has to be literally a rock of gibraltar. Situation ethics is an ethical theory that was principally developed in the 1960s by the episcopal priest joseph fletcher. The term situation ethics, coined by joseph fletcher in 1966, is sometimes referred to as situational ethics or as situationism. Situational ethics joseph fletcher and his model of ethics. Furthermore, there are philosophical considerations that are left unresolved. Pg 158159 looking at this book from a fiftyyearslater viewpoint, one is perhaps most surprised to see how christianly fletchers approach originally wasparticularly in light. Fletcher was a leading academic proponent of the potential benefits of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, eugenics, and cloning. Ethical theories include kant, natural law, situation ethics, virtue ethics and utilitarianism. Situational ethics it was developed by joseph fletcher.
Situation ethics is the most promising road to a moral community. Nygrens summary, where love is, no other precepts or commands are required, enshrines the theme of situational ethics. Well be looking at understanding situational ethics. Advantages and disadvantages of situational ethics. His work, situation ethics, founded the modern situational ethics movement. Situation ethics attempts to answer questions like these by affirming that doing the loving thing is a higher priority than obedience to gods law. Fletcher was a professor of christian ethics at harvard university and then medical ethics at virginia university. The new moralityjoseph fletcher 1905 1991 develops what he calls an ethical nonsystem. Reallife examples to help you understand situational. Ethics cannot be situational, nor applicable when convenient.
The eight best introductory books on ethics the daily idea. Literally, it is a system of ethics that evaluates acts in light of their situational context rather than by the application of moral absolutes besides that. Situation ethics holds that moral judgments must be made within the context of the entirety of a situation and that all normative features of a situation must be viewed as a whole. In successful organizations, ethics is a foundation principle for longterm organizational success. The approach taken in this text, while specific to the aqa philosophy and ocr religious programs, would work quite well with lower levelintroductory ethics students, who have no background in philosophy. Written in 1933 and 1973 respectively, and signed by such notables as john dewey, sir julian huxley, sir francis crick, isaac asimov, antony flew, and others, it contains what many feel is the clearest expression of the situation ethics philosophy currently advocated by nonbelievers.
Situational ethics year 10 religious studies libguides. Situation ethics, also called situational ethics, in ethics and theology, the position that moral decision making is contextual or dependent on a set of circumstances. Proposing an ethic of loving concern, fletcher suggests that certain actssuch as lying, premarital sex, adultery, or even murdermight be morally right, depending on. Best books on ethics and moral philosophy recommended by eminent philosophers. It basically states that sometimes other moral principles can be cast aside in certain situations if love is best served. The new morality library of theological ethics fletcher. His employees and coworkers know that he can walk the talk, follow through on his promises, and have honest motives and intentions. His other book on this theme is moral responsibilitysituation ethics at work 25s. Fletcher, an episcopalian priest who became an atheist in his later life, is best known for his book situation ethics. In the mid1960s, joseph fletcher published the book, situation ethics, thereby securing for himself the dubious distinction, the father of situation ethics 1966. Philosophy and ethics as situational ethics flashcards. These two names are used interchangeably to designate this approach to morals. The author endeavors to show how disregard for divine law, though seemingly attractive, reasonable, and practical, is untenable.
Heres a link to a page that describes situational ethics. In its popularized form, situation ethics does not, however, depend upon christian insights. Proposing an ethic of loving concern, fletcher suggests that certain actssuch as lying, premarital sex, adultery, or even murdermight be morally right, depending on the circumstances. Many people think ethics has to do with a set of social conventions or a religious decree. Situational ethics also known as situationism has in recent times been seen as a significant opponent to contemporary virtue ethics. First published in 1966, the book cemented fletchers standing as one of the founders of the system known as situational ethics. Situational ethics is a form of consequentialism, though distinct from utilitarianism in that the latters aim is the greatest good for the. Joseph francis fletcher april 10, 1905 in newark, new jersey october 28, 1991 in charlottesville, virginia was an american professor who founded the theory of situational ethics in the 1960s, and was a pioneer in the field of bioethics. Situation ethics ocr religious studies philosophy and. Introduction to philosophywhat is ethics wikibooks. Just to be clear, there is no single best book on ethics. This page contains a list of the best introductory books on ethics. To ask other readers questions about situation ethics, please sign up. Joseph fletcher, naturalism, situation ethics and value theory, in ethics at the crossroads, 1995 situation ethics was originally devised in a.
Situation ethics, the position that moral decision making is contextual or. People like to wallow or cower in the security of the law. A study guide on introductory concepts in philosophy. Situation ethics john warwick montgomery, joseph fletcher on.
Fletcher was an episcopal priest, a member of the euthanasia educational counsel, and. Lying could be more christian than telling the truth. Decision making should base on circumstances of a particular situation, and fixed law should never include in it. Situational ethics synonyms, situational ethics pronunciation, situational ethics translation, english dictionary definition of situational ethics. The moral principles fletcher is specifically referring to are.
In his 2002 work lack of character, philosopher john doris gives arguably the most developed statement and defense of the situationist thesis. The theory was principally developed in the 1960s by the christian episcopal priest joseph fletcher in two books, the classic treatment and situation ethics. Ethics is supposed to provide us with a guide for moral living, and to do so it must be rational, and to be rational it must be free of contradictions there is no room for situational ethics in business or in any area of your life for that matter. Situational ethics was pioneered by joseph fletcher 19051991. Philosophical ethics could be called the study of what is good and bad. Fortunately, we can still dig up old gems that are full of solid christian principles, and were starting to see some new ones on the market that are. Childrens books are chock full of situational ethics, and thats why there are precious few on the library shelves today that are worth reading. Of course, fletcher was by no means the first to advance the ideals of situationism.