Situation Ethics is a theory which rejects legalism and antinomianism. Instead Jospeh Fletcher, an American professor, founded the theory of Situation Ethics. Fletcher was an ex-priest who later renounced his belief in god and became an atheist and eventually founded Situation Ethics.
Legalism means having rules to live and abide by and Antinomianism means not having rules: doing as you please. Fletcher did not believe in either of these, instead he believed in Agapé love. Agapé love is universal love. Fletcher wanted to create a new ethical theory, a guiding/boss principle. Agapé love means that you love directed at all people, friends family, enemies, even romantic love; unconditional love.
In Situation Ethics there are 4 key ideas:
Legalism means having rules to live and abide by and Antinomianism means not having rules: doing as you please. Fletcher did not believe in either of these, instead he believed in Agapé love. Agapé love is universal love. Fletcher wanted to create a new ethical theory, a guiding/boss principle. Agapé love means that you love directed at all people, friends family, enemies, even romantic love; unconditional love.
In Situation Ethics there are 4 key ideas:
- Pragmatism - it is a practical theory
- Personalism - puts the person first
- Positivism - tries to get the best outcome in a situation
- Relativism - there are no absolute rules
There are also Six Fundamental Principles
- Love only is always good
- Love is the only norm (rule)
- Love and justice are the same
- Love is not liking
- Love justifies the means
- Love decides there and then
In Situation Ethics it is all about the love. Situation Ethics has quite flexible boundaries making it slightly easier to make a decision. I think that Flethcher on the whole would agree with Cryopreservation. If someone who had died with cancer, and were resuscitated later, when a cure for that cancer was available, this would be the most loving thing to o as you are helping for them to live their life again, except this time there will be no illnesses in the way to prevent them from enjoying themselves. This is why I think that Fletcher would agree with the theory of Cryopreservation.