By Joseph Fletcher

Joseph Fletcher
He was an Episcopal priest. He pioneered the theory of situational ethics. He later identified himself as an atheist.

Situational Ethics
It states that decision-making should be based upon the circumstances of a particular situation, and not upon fixed Law. The only absolute is Love and it should be the motive behind everything. God is Love (I John 4:8)

Agape - is a selfless and unconditional love that involves doing the best for others, even if they are unknown.

Properties of Agape

Four Characteristics
Fletcher laid out four characteristics of situation ethics, the four -isms. Personalism laws are for the benefit of the people. Pragmatism - the course of action must be practical and work Positivism - The whole of situational ethics relies upon the fact that the person freely chooses to believe in agape love as described by Christianity. Relativism - All situations are always relative.

Six Fundamental Principles

First Proposition Only one thing is intrinsically good; namely love: nothing else at all.

Second Proposition The ruling norm of Christian decision is love: nothing else.
Third Proposition Love and Justice are the same, for justice is love distributed, nothing else. Fourth Proposition Love wills the neighbor's good, whether we like him or not. Fifth Proposition Only the end justifies the means, nothing else. Sixth Proposition Love's decisions are made situationally, not prescriptively.

Positive Points
It's personal
It's particular It's based on doing good

Negative Points
It excludes most universal moral truths.
It's difficult to implement It can't produce consistent results It may approve of 'evil' acts

Thank you for listening! -xoxo-