Situational Ethics vs Absolutism - Which Guides Your Moral Behavior ?

[Em in Ohio]

Situational ethics requires thinking. It requires complex analysis.

Absolutism does not require thinking. Dictates are adhered to without question.

Situation Ethics by Sandra B. Rosenthal (edited)
https://www.britannica.com/topic/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.

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. The guiding framework for moral decision making is stated variously as that of acting in the most loving way, to maximize harmony and reduce discord, or to enrich human existence.

Situation ethics was developed by American Anglican theologian Joseph F. Fletcher, whose book Situation Ethics: The New Morality (1966) arose from his objections to both moral absolutism (the view that there are fixed universal moral principles that have binding authority in all circumstances) and moral relativism (the view that there are no fixed moral principles at all).

Fletcher based situation ethics on the general Christian norm of brotherly love, which is expressed in different ways in different situations. He applied this to issues of doctrine.

For example, if one holds to the absolute wrongness of abortion, then one will never allow for abortion, no matter what the circumstances within which the pregnancy occurs.

Fletcher held that such an absolute position pays no attention to the complexity and uniqueness of each situation and can result in a callous and inhumane way of dealing with the problem.

On the other hand, if there are no principles at all, then the decision is reduced to nothing more than what one decides to do in the moment, with no real moral implications involved.

Rather, Fletcher held, within the context of the complexities of the situation, one should come to the most loving or right decision as to what to do.

Fletcher’s view was influential in Christian communities both in America and Europe for decades, reaching its peak in the 1980s, after which it began to wane...

This view is opposed to the absolutist understanding of fixed rules as inherently valid and universally applicable to all situations, there being no exceptions..."

 

[Pepper]

Our old friend @Olivia would love this thread.

 

[feywon]

Situational, tho i leaned a bit more the other way when young, and there are still things (Child neglect and abuse, animal neglect and abuse) that i'm pretty hardline about.

Even our laws recognize that 'context' matters. That is why there are several different ways prosecutors can charge people who cause the death of another human being. And it matters largely because in many of US States the death penalty is applied only for charges that include the word 'murder', i would think First Degree Murder most likely to be capital crime, but haven't checked on how many and what places and if that's the only one.

In my experience most 'absolutists' tend to cherry pick which 'rules' they are strict about whether ethical (generally pertaining to communities) or moral (pertaining to personal behaviors/interactions). So, regardless of what they 'preach' about/to other individuals and society they really have situational standards of 'right/wrong'. Often even if they label something wrong they will find excuses for why it was ok for them.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I would like to believe there are at least a few absolutes, but I find I mostly respond to life by adjusting my view to accommodate the situation. It is a changing world and flexibility and strength combined is what guides my moral behavior.

 

[jimintoronto]

To me "situational ethics " is another way to say......whichever way the wind blows the person will follow it. The flexible marshmallow method. JimB.

 

[Paco Dennis]

To me "situational ethics " is another way to say......whichever way the wind blows the person will follow it. The flexible marshmallow method. JimB.

I think that a person needs to adjust their view to the situation. Not use the "same shoe fits all" way. The shoe doesn't fit everyone so we have to adjust the way we communicate. It is not weakness, it is a skillful way to understand others. Dogma of any sort is dangerous.

 

[Em in Ohio]

To me "situational ethics " is another way to say......whichever way the wind blows the person will follow it. The flexible marshmallow method. JimB.

I might call that "sheepism," which is closer to absolutism, in my opinion. It's motivated, perhaps, by wanting to be part of the flock and/or to follow the leader. What you are describing is perhaps "wishy-washy" and easily swayed. (I'm too opinionated to fall under such categorical descriptions and my interpretation of situational ethics differs.)

 

[feywon]

To me "situational ethics " is another way to say......whichever way the wind blows the person will follow it. The flexible marshmallow method. JimB.

So if i walked in on some adult assaulting my grandson (or any child for that matter)and bashed that person's head in with my cast iron frying pan and they die i'm as guilty (and wrong) as any mass shooter, or rapist murderer? Because hey that's what the absolutist view is.

There are one or two things i'm willing to risk my soul growth for--protecting the vulnerable is one of them.

 

[Jeni]

In my experience most 'absolutists' tend to cherry pick which 'rules' they are strict about whether ethical (generally pertaining to communities) or moral (pertaining to personal behaviors/interactions). So, regardless of what they 'preach' about/to other individuals and society they really have situational standards of 'right/wrong'. Often even if they label something wrong they will find excuses for why it was ok for them.

Exactly .......

 

[Judycat]

Situational Ethics. Never was one to have someone else tell me what to do. Maybe that's why my faith suffered so much when attending church. I was always like, you mean this guy gets to tell me how to live? Nope. I don't think he knows what he's doing.

 

[Jeni]

I do not believe there is any one who really follows absolutism ....
Many who follow situational also take items to absurd levels by rationalizing everything.......

Too many form views on what others say / think ...... big mistake IMO
those of us that make up our own mind are willing to debate and consider options with a healthy respect for when rationalizing takes over.

 

[Knight]

Reflecting on replies in many threads, replies are mostly situational.
Example recent about pledge to the flag or smoking pot.

But when it comes to religion/blind faith I'd say absolutism.

I think it comes down to how we view ourselves & are we satisfied with what we decide.

 

[Em in Ohio]

Reflecting on replies in many threads, replies are mostly situational.
Example recent about pledge to the flag or smoking pot.

But when it comes to religion/blind faith I'd say absolutism.

I think it comes down to how we view ourselves & are we satisfied with what we decide.

I respect your right to go your own way. Thank you for having the courage to differ from the majority of responses in this thread. I really do seek all opinions.

 

[Em in Ohio]

Moral absolutism: Moral absolutism is an ethical belief which views specific actions as entirely wrong or right... An example is a murder, which is always considered morally wrong, even if done in self-defense or for the protection of others.

Absolutism makes ethical decisions black and white, with no grey areas. Right is right and wrong is wrong, no exceptions, no excuses. This is the guiding principle found in people who accept literal interpretations of the bible, as they perceive them to be. Many were codified in the Ten Commandments.

Looking at just one, "Thou Shalt Not Kill," was purportedly written in stone. And yet, in many passages, it is acceptable.

Romans 13:4 - "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

Leviticus 24:17 - "Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death."

Genesis 9:6 - “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind."

So, what are we to believe? Does this not leave it up to the individual to determine the meaning of what is right and what is wrong, according to the biblical texts or when searching to establish our personal moral code?

 

[WheatenLover]

Situational, sometimes. Some things I think are morally wrong all the time - for one of many examples I can name: A pedophile who acts on his urges, rather than manages to control them, is acting in an immoral and criminal manner.

I think absolutism is morally wrong in many cases, especially when it is dependent on people's religious beliefs or just something they decided to believe because to them, there are no gray areas. This is not to say that I disagree with all of those religious beliefs. Mostly I hate it when people credit God or the Bible for things that have nothing to do with either, to justify their own bad behavior.

 

[Em in Ohio]

Situational, sometimes. Some things I think are morally wrong all the time - for one of many examples I can name: A pedophile who acts on his urges, rather than manages to control them, is acting in an immoral and criminal manner.

I think absolutism is morally wrong in many cases, especially when it is dependent on people's religious beliefs or just something they decided to believe because to them, there are no gray areas. This is not to say that I disagree with all of those religious beliefs. Mostly I hate it when people credit God or the Bible for things that have nothing to do with either, to justify their own bad behavior.

I basically agree, especially since you touched on one of my triggers. Yet, I'm still not an absolutist - What if the pedophile was truly mentally disabled? (Not drunk, not drugged up, but born mentally deficient). To me, that inches into the grey area, where I would have to consider more circumstances. Still, I would search for a humane solution to stop it.