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DIfferent approaches to ethics
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Different approaches to ethics
LO: to be able to explain some key approaches which Fletcher tries to avoid
Three different approaches to ethics
Start here
- Fletcher suggested that there are three different types of ethics.
- Click on each of the bubbles to see what these approaches are and make notes on them
Legalism
Fletcher argued that some ethics are very rules based. For instance in Jesus' time the Pharisees were very concerned with keeping every single law.
Legalism
Which approaches to ethics do you think are like that? Why?
The legalistic mindset
Problems with legalism
Fletcher believed that too much emphasis on laws means that you have to have more and more laws to cover every eventuality.
For instance if you forbid murder, you then have to define what is meant by murder, how does it differ when in self-defence or during a war and you get a web of laws.
Fletcher rejected this approach to ethics as it can lead to an approach when the law is more important than the demonstration of love.
Puritans had a very legalistic mindset - they cancelled Christmas - and football
Antinomianism
This comes from the Greek meaning 'lawless'. It describes systems where people just do what feels right. There are no laws, or even guidelines and each decision is made in a unique way.
Antinomianism
Fletcher described these systems as 'anarchic' and said they were no good.
Certain parts of the Third Form may be described as antinomian - explain why
Situationism
Unsurprisingly this is the best system according to Fletcher. It is a middle way between legalism and antinomianism.
Situationism
According to Fletcher, situationism follows laws up to a point, and so is rational, but when keeping those laws starts to do more harm than good, it adapts its approach.
Fletcher told this story in the introduction to his book
Taxi driver story
A friend of mine arrived in St Louis just as a presidential campaign was ending, and the cab driver, not being above the battle, volunteered his testimony. 'I, and my father before me, and their fathers, have always been straight-ticket Republicans.' 'Ah,' said my friend, who is also a Republican, 'I take it that means you will vote for Senator So-and-So.' 'No,' said the driver, 'there are times when a man has to push his principles aside and do the right thing'
Task
Draw a set of scales
Write 'Legalism' on one side and 'Antinomianism' on the other.
Explain underneath how situationism tried to find a balance between these two extremes