In professional philosophy we do not typically consider this to be the definition of ethics. Situational ethics it was developed by joseph fletcher. Whether we ought to follow a moral principle or not would always depend upon the situation. In its popularized form, situation ethics does not, however, depend upon christian insights. The eight best introductory books on ethics the daily idea. His work, situation ethics, founded the modern situational ethics movement. Situation ethics ocr religious studies philosophy and. Men like emil brunner the divine imperative, reinhold niebuhr moral man and immoral society, harvey cox the secular city. Situation ethics is the most promising road to a moral community.
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. Ethics resources for students and teachers ocr a level rs philosophy and ethics. Situation ethics introduction in the introduction to the situation ethics. 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. Ethics cannot be situational, nor applicable when convenient. Fletcher developed his theory of situational ethics in his books.
Using ancient philosophy to live a modern life by massimo pigliucci, eating animals by jonathan sa. 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 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. Situational ethics year 10 religious studies libguides. Heres a link to a page that describes situational ethics. Consistencythe absence of contradictionshas sometimes been called the hallmark of ethics. Proposing an ethic of loving concern, fletcher suggests that certain actssuch as lying, premarital sex, adultery, or even murdermight be morally right, depending on. A system of ethics that evaluates acts in light of their situational context rather than by the application of moral absolutes. Fletcher was a leading academic proponent of the potential benefits of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, eugenics, and cloning.
Ethics is the science of conduct, and the fundamental problem of ethics is determining what constitutes proper conduct 1948, p. 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. Situation ethics john warwick montgomery, joseph fletcher on. In the mid1960s, joseph fletcher published the book, situation ethics, thereby securing for himself the dubious distinction, the father of situation ethics 1966. The theory was principally developed in the 1960s by the christian episcopal priest joseph fletcher in two books, the classic treatment and situation ethics.
The term situation ethics, coined by joseph fletcher in 1966, is sometimes referred to as situational ethics or as situationism. Like many philosophers, frederick copleston had his reservations, but. Ethics in practice has to be literally a rock of gibraltar. Fletcher was an episcopal priest, a member of the euthanasia educational counsel, and. Lying could be more christian than telling the truth. It basically states that sometimes other moral principles can be cast aside in certain situations if love is best served. Well be looking at understanding situational ethics. The first is that the name new morality is really a misnomer. Introduction to philosophywhat is ethics wikibooks. Situational ethics psychology wiki fandom powered by wikia. Situational ethics is the philosophical position that although there are a few universal truths, different situations call for different responses.
The new morality library of theological ethics fletcher. Situational ethics is a form of consequentialism, though distinct from utilitarianism in that the latters aim is the greatest good for the. Advantages and disadvantages of situational ethics. Start studying philosophy and ethics as situational ethics. In his 2002 work lack of character, philosopher john doris gives arguably the most developed statement and defense of the situationist thesis. Situational ethics or situation ethics takes into account the particular context of an act when. Pdf situation ethics download full pdf book download. Situational ethics definition of situational ethics by. 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. An 800page scholarly overview is unlikely to be best for someone looking for a short beginnerfriendly introduction, for. Situational ethics wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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. In 1966 joseph fletcher, an american theologian, published a book, situation ethics, in which he outlines a new approach to christian ethical decision making. 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 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. His employees and coworkers know that he can walk the talk, follow through on his promises, and have honest motives and intentions. Many people think ethics has to do with a set of social conventions or a religious decree. In some situations unmarried love could be infinitely more moral than married unlove. Joseph fletcher, naturalism, situation ethics and value theory, in ethics at the crossroads, 1995 situation ethics was originally devised in a. Childrens books are chock full of situational ethics, and thats why there are precious few on the library shelves today that are worth reading. Decision making should base on circumstances of a particular situation, and fixed law should never include in it. Once ordained as an episcopal priest he taught christian ethics at episcopal divinity school and at harvard divinity school from 1944 to 1970. Situational ethics, or situation ethics, is a christian ethical theory that was principally developed in the 1960s by the episcopal priest joseph fletcher. 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. 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.
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. Ethical theories include kant, natural law, situation ethics, virtue ethics and utilitarianism. Situational ethics synonyms, situational ethics pronunciation, situational ethics translation, english dictionary definition of situational ethics. Situational ethics also known as situationism has in recent times been seen as a significant opponent to contemporary virtue ethics. The moral principles fletcher is specifically referring to are. This page contains a list of the best introductory books on ethics. Joseph fletcher ranks among the most influential intellectuals of the twentieth century. 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. The oxford dictionary of philosophy by blackburn, s. Fletcher, an episcopalian priest who became an atheist in his later life, is best known for his book situation ethics. Commenting on the philosophy of situational ethics, elwells evangelical dictionary of theology says. His other book on this theme is moral responsibilitysituation ethics at work 25s. Best books on ethics and moral philosophy recommended by eminent philosophers. First published in 1966, the book cemented fletchers standing as one of the founders of the system known as situational ethics.
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. Situational ethics joseph fletcher and his model of ethics. Situation ethics, the position that moral decision making is contextual or. This is not an example of the work produced by our essay writing service. However, the book covers only 4 major ethical theories. The new moralityjoseph fletcher 1905 1991 develops what he calls an ethical nonsystem. Reallife examples to help you understand situational. 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.
In successful organizations, ethics is a foundation principle for longterm organizational success. Everything from aristotles ethics to the ethics of ai covered. 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 tutors and online course available now tutoring and online course for a level students, with both content and training in a grade writing skills. Situation ethics flies under the banner of the new morality. To ask other readers questions about situation ethics, please sign up. Situational ethics states that if there is a right and wrong, it is merely determined by the desired outcome of the situation. Nygrens summary, where love is, no other precepts or commands are required, enshrines the theme of situational ethics. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A study guide on introductory concepts in philosophy.
People like to wallow or cower in the security of the law. Although his ideas were rooted in the bible they were new, and to some shocking. 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. Situation ethics is an ethical theory that was principally developed in the 1960s by the episcopal priest joseph fletcher. Philosophical ethics could be called the study of what is good and bad. The author endeavors to show how disregard for divine law, though seemingly attractive, reasonable, and practical, is untenable.
Situational ethics was pioneered by joseph fletcher 19051991. Since then, almost every publication on situational ethics has referred to the model presented in fletchers writings. Reallife examples to help you understand situational ethics better. Just to be clear, there is no single best book on ethics. Of course, fletcher was by no means the first to advance the ideals of situationism. Philosophy and ethics as situational ethics flashcards. 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. Purposely, however, we have chosen to use the term situation ethics.