Criticisms
Have a look at the Strengths and Weaknesses of Situation Ethics.
Situation Ethics has great appeal, especially when faced with the realities of deontological ethics. It seems ludicrous that a Catholic might choose to remove a fallopian tube from a woman with an ectopic pregnancy (thereby resulting in the termination of the pregnancy but also in an inability to have further children) rather than simply abort the foetus. Abortion, Natural Law tells us, is a wrong act. Yet compassion, and even common sense, tells us it is better to abort a foetus to save the mother rather than let both die. Situation Ethics also seems more in line with the example of Christ - Jesus seemed to put people before principles.
However, Situation Ethics has fierce critics. They argue that it allows terrible things to happen in an attempt to do the right thing. Many Christians are not happy to let go of universal human rights. They feel that certain actions simply are wrong, and that our priority should be doing God's will not just making people happy. An eternal perspective means that even if bad consequences arise out of our actions (such as a pregnant woman dying), God will make all things fair and right in heaven.
Others say that Situation Ethics makes morality subjective. In other words, this would mean there is no fact about whether an action is right or wrong, merely different opinions. This seems to contradict basic Christian beliefs about God making the world with a particular design and purpose for humans.
Situation Ethics is further criticised for being individualistic. The individual has too much control or influence, and people tend to be selfish. If I am given complete freedom with no rules governing me, I am likely to misuse this power. Agape - an unselfish, unconditional love - is a great ideal but is rarely achieved in practice. People need rules to live by, and can't really be trusted to do the right thing without those rules.
Situation Ethics also receives the sorts of criticisms that Utilitarians face - outcomes or consequences are unpredictable, incalculable and immeasurable. It just isn't possible to work out which action will have the best consequences.
