Situation ethics
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the use of situation ethics in decision-making and suggest reasons for its usefulness
Key learning points
- Christians use different methods for making ethical decisions, including using deontological approaches & virtue ethics.
- Joseph Fletcher introduced situation ethics in the 1960s as an alternative approach for Christians.
- The fundamental belief in situation ethics is that agape love is the only intrinsic good.
- Situation ethics is teleological because it means focusing on the situation & deciding which is the most loving action.
- One criticism is that people have different ideas about what is the most loving action.
Keywords
Agape love - the selfless, unconditional love that Jesus taught through the command to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’
Joseph Fletcher - an American Christian theologian who developed situation ethics in the 1960s
Situation ethics - an ethical theory which argues that the most loving action should guide decisions in each situation
Common misconception
Situation ethics allows for any action to be justified as long as it feels loving to the individual.
Situation ethics requires thoughtful consideration and aims for actions that promote selfless and agape love for the well-being of others, rather than justifying actions based on individual feelings.
Teacher tip
Students could compare situation ethics with utilitiarianism by appyling them both to the same scenario.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is ethics?
Q2.What is the root meaning of the word 'deon' in 'deontology'?
Q3.What is the root meaning of the word 'telos' in 'teleology'?
Q4.What is the main difference between deontological ethics and teleological ethics?
Q5.What word could we use to describe a set of circumstances or events that require a decision or action to be made?
Q6.Jesus taught his followers to 'love your __________'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is agape love?
Q2.Who developed situation ethics?
Q3.Situation ethics is not deontological because it takes each into account.
Q4.Why is situation ethics considered a teleological theory?
Q5.How does situation ethics guide decision-making?
Q6.Put the stages that someone would go through when applying situation ethics in the correct order.
To help you plan your 8 religious education lesson on: Situation ethics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 religious education lesson on: Situation ethics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Ethics: how do we know what is 'good'? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.