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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
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Religious Studies
15 Dec 2025
440
6 pages
bella @be1laxx
Situation Ethics is a revolutionary approach to moral decision-making developed by American theologian Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s.... Show more
Joseph Fletcher was an American theologian who developed Situation Ethics during the 1960s - a time of massive social change with civil rights movements, youth culture, and increasing personal freedom. He was responding to what he saw as outdated moral systems that couldn't handle modern ethical dilemmas.
Fletcher rejected two extreme approaches to ethics. Legalistic ethics follows pre-made rules like the Ten Commandments, which he found too restrictive and absolutist for modern life. Antinomian ethics throws out all rules entirely, leading to unpredictable and chaotic decision-making.
Instead, Fletcher proposed Situation Ethics as a middle ground. This teleological approach suggests that moral decisions should be made based on what best serves love in each unique situation, rather than blindly following universal rules.
Key Point Situation Ethics emerged during the liberal 1960s as a flexible alternative to rigid religious rules, focusing on love as the ultimate guide for moral decisions.
Fletcher built his theory on four working presuppositions that form the foundation of situational thinking. Pragmatism means any proposed action must actually work in practice - there's no point in idealistic solutions that can't be implemented in the real world.
Relativism rejects fixed moral rules, insisting that all decisions must be based on agape (selfless, unconditional love for your neighbour). This doesn't mean moral chaos - it means being flexible enough to adapt your response to different circumstances.
Positivism requires you to make a decision rather than avoiding moral choices altogether. Personalism puts people first, prioritising human welfare over strict adherence to laws or rules.
Remember These presuppositions work together - you can't just pick and choose which ones to follow when making ethical decisions.
The six fundamental principles provide the practical framework for making situational decisions. The first principle states that love equals good - specifically the selfless love (agape) that Jesus taught, not romantic or emotional love.
Love is the only law that matters in situation ethics, whilst justice and love cannot be separated - true justice must be loving, and true love must be just. You should always love your neighbour, even when it's difficult or inconvenient.
The controversial principle that ends justify the means suggests that loving outcomes can justify seemingly wrong actions. Finally, situation-based morality means rejecting rigid rule-based systems in favour of flexible, context-dependent decisions.
Critical Thinking The "ends justify the means" principle is highly debated - consider whether this could lead to dangerous moral compromises.
Situation Ethics offers remarkable flexibility, allowing you to apply the principle of love to vastly different circumstances without being trapped by outdated rules. The concept of agape is universal - you don't need to be Christian to understand loving your neighbour, making it accessible across cultures and beliefs.
Many find it easy to follow because it's intuitive - most people instinctively understand what loving action looks like in a given situation. This makes moral decision-making feel more natural and less legalistic.
However, critics argue it's too subjective, failing to provide clear, absolute guidance when you need it most. You can't apply every principle to every situation, and different people might reach conflicting conclusions about what constitutes "loving" action.
The "ends justify the means" approach particularly concerns traditionalists, as it could potentially justify terrible actions if they produce good outcomes. Some situations aren't actually unique, so established moral wisdom might be more valuable than Fletcher suggests.
Food for Thought Consider whether flexibility in ethics is liberating or dangerous - does removing moral absolutes help or harm society?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
bella
@be1laxx
Situation Ethics is a revolutionary approach to moral decision-making developed by American theologian Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s. Instead of following rigid rules, it suggests that love should be the only guiding principle when making ethical choices in different situations.
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Joseph Fletcher was an American theologian who developed Situation Ethics during the 1960s - a time of massive social change with civil rights movements, youth culture, and increasing personal freedom. He was responding to what he saw as outdated moral systems that couldn't handle modern ethical dilemmas.
Fletcher rejected two extreme approaches to ethics. Legalistic ethics follows pre-made rules like the Ten Commandments, which he found too restrictive and absolutist for modern life. Antinomian ethics throws out all rules entirely, leading to unpredictable and chaotic decision-making.
Instead, Fletcher proposed Situation Ethics as a middle ground. This teleological approach suggests that moral decisions should be made based on what best serves love in each unique situation, rather than blindly following universal rules.
Key Point: Situation Ethics emerged during the liberal 1960s as a flexible alternative to rigid religious rules, focusing on love as the ultimate guide for moral decisions.
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Fletcher built his theory on four working presuppositions that form the foundation of situational thinking. Pragmatism means any proposed action must actually work in practice - there's no point in idealistic solutions that can't be implemented in the real world.
Relativism rejects fixed moral rules, insisting that all decisions must be based on agape (selfless, unconditional love for your neighbour). This doesn't mean moral chaos - it means being flexible enough to adapt your response to different circumstances.
Positivism requires you to make a decision rather than avoiding moral choices altogether. Personalism puts people first, prioritising human welfare over strict adherence to laws or rules.
Remember: These presuppositions work together - you can't just pick and choose which ones to follow when making ethical decisions.
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The six fundamental principles provide the practical framework for making situational decisions. The first principle states that love equals good - specifically the selfless love (agape) that Jesus taught, not romantic or emotional love.
Love is the only law that matters in situation ethics, whilst justice and love cannot be separated - true justice must be loving, and true love must be just. You should always love your neighbour, even when it's difficult or inconvenient.
The controversial principle that ends justify the means suggests that loving outcomes can justify seemingly wrong actions. Finally, situation-based morality means rejecting rigid rule-based systems in favour of flexible, context-dependent decisions.
Critical Thinking: The "ends justify the means" principle is highly debated - consider whether this could lead to dangerous moral compromises.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Situation Ethics offers remarkable flexibility, allowing you to apply the principle of love to vastly different circumstances without being trapped by outdated rules. The concept of agape is universal - you don't need to be Christian to understand loving your neighbour, making it accessible across cultures and beliefs.
Many find it easy to follow because it's intuitive - most people instinctively understand what loving action looks like in a given situation. This makes moral decision-making feel more natural and less legalistic.
However, critics argue it's too subjective, failing to provide clear, absolute guidance when you need it most. You can't apply every principle to every situation, and different people might reach conflicting conclusions about what constitutes "loving" action.
The "ends justify the means" approach particularly concerns traditionalists, as it could potentially justify terrible actions if they produce good outcomes. Some situations aren't actually unique, so established moral wisdom might be more valuable than Fletcher suggests.
Food for Thought: Consider whether flexibility in ethics is liberating or dangerous - does removing moral absolutes help or harm society?
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
8
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology