Assess the Strengths an Weaknesses of Situation Ethics

Assess the Strengths an Weaknesses of Situation Ethics

1. Strengths

   • individual freedom to make own decisions
     • preferred to a legalistic approach
       • only 'agape'
     • Mel Thompson
       • ' allows individuals to make up their own minds about what is right or wrong in any situation
   • flexible and practical
     • Mel Thompson
       • ' allows individuals to make up their own minds about what is right or wrong in any situation
       • An Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics
   • 'personalism'
     • morality should be based on individual circumstances.
     • Jesus - paralysed man
   • 'selfless love'
     • should ensure fairness and justice
     • Sarah K Taylor and Gordon Reid
       • Love seeks the well-being of others, even if the course of action is not one of preference

2. Weaknesses

   • gives so much freedom it is difficult to decide what action to take
     • Bowie
       • Ethical Studies
       • 'How can individuals safely decide what is the most loving action?'
   • Some say we need rules to avoid moral chaos
     • J.Macquarrie
       • A Dictionary of Christian Ethics
       • '...a great many people need the guidance of rules..'
   • It rejects absolute rules and could lead to danger of condoning some acts
     • are these immoral acts acceptable if they are motivated by love?
   • too subjective a concept to be used practically
     • humans prone to making mistakes
     • influences by selfishness rather than love
     • Edwin Williams
       • 'Love left to itself..can easily turn into the license of permissiveness.'