Teleological Ethics

What Teleological Ethics covers

Teleological Ethics is examined in Component 3, Religion and Ethics. It covers Fletcher's rejection of legalism and antinomianism, the working principles and the six propositions, situation ethics applied: homosexual and polyamorous relationships, Bentham, utility and the hedonic calculus, Mill: higher pleasures, the harm principle and rules and utilitarianism applied: animal experimentation and nuclear deterrence.

The 6 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

• Fletcher's rejection of legalism and antinomianismThe two extremes a middle way was designed to avoid, the single principle offered instead, and the biblical warrant claimed for it.Open →
• The working principles and the six propositionsBoss principle of situation ethics, fletcher's four working principles and pragmatism as a working principle.Open →
• Situation ethics applied: homosexual and polyamorous relationshipsFletcher's position on homosexual relationships and polyamorous relationship.Open →
• Bentham, utility and the hedonic calculusBentham's principle of utility, act utilitarianism and seven factors of the hedonic calculus.Open →
• Mill: higher pleasures, the harm principle and rulesHigher pleasure, lower pleasure and mill's harm principle.Open →
• Utilitarianism applied: animal experimentation and nuclear deterrenceNuclear deterrence and problem of the conditional intention in deterrence.Open →

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Take Teleological Ethics further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

• The four working principles vs The six propositions

  The four working principles: features describing how the theory operates in practice. The six propositions: Statements setting out what the theory actually holds.

• Paternalism vs Prevention of harm to others

  Paternalism: interference for a competent adult's own good, which Mill rules out. Prevention of harm to others: Interference to stop injury falling on someone else, which Mill permits.

• Act utilitarianism vs Rule utilitarianism

  Act utilitarianism: assessment of each act on the consequences it produces. Rule utilitarianism: Assessment of conformity to a general practice that maximises utility.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Who was Joseph Fletcher?

   Model answer

   Joseph Fletcher was an American Episcopal theologian who later became an atheist. The book Situation Ethics appeared in 1966.

2. 2

   What does Fletcher mean by legalism?

   Model answer

   Legalism is the approach that settles every case by applying a fixed rule. Fletcher argues that it produces cruelty when a rule fits a case badly.

3. 3

   What does Fletcher mean by antinomianism?

   Model answer

   Antinomianism is the approach that recognises no rules or principles at all. Fletcher argues that it leaves an agent with nothing to reason from.

4. 4

   How does Fletcher describe situation ethics between these two?

   Model answer

   Situation ethics is offered as the middle way between legalism and antinomianism. Principles inform the decision without deciding it in advance.

5. 5

   What role does Fletcher give to conscience?

   Model answer

   Conscience is a verb rather than a noun for Fletcher, the activity of deciding rather than a faculty consulted. Fletcher denies that any inner voice delivers answers.

6. 6

   Define agape.

   Model answer

   Agape is selfless, unconditional love that wills the good of the other. Neither feeling nor preference has any part in it.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

Teleological Ethics revision questions

What does Teleological Ethics cover in Eduqas A-Level Religious Studies?

6 subtopics: fletcher's rejection of legalism and antinomianism, the working principles and the six propositions, situation ethics applied: homosexual and polyamorous relationships, bentham, utility and the hedonic calculus, mill: higher pleasures, the harm principle and rules and utilitarianism applied: animal experimentation and nuclear deterrence. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.

How is Teleological Ethics organised?

By the Eduqas A120QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.