Situationism is a psychological and philosophical theory that emphasizes the impact of situational factors on human behavior, suggesting that people's actions are largely influenced by their environment rather than their inherent traits or intentions. It challenges the idea of stable personality traits, arguing that context can significantly alter how individuals think and behave. This perspective is often illustrated through experiments, such as the Stanford prison experiment, which demonstrate how ordinary people can act in unexpected ways under certain conditions. In social psychology, situationism highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between individuals and their surroundings.
Robert is making a decision and is influenced by the feelings of those around him and the situation. SDT
Robert is making a decision and is influenced by the feelings of those around him and the situation. SDT
A situationist is someone who adheres to the principles of Situationism, a philosophical and artistic movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly associated with the Situationist International. This movement critiques contemporary capitalist society and advocates for the creation of situations that promote genuine experiences and emotions, often through art and play. Situationists believe that everyday life can be transformed through the exploration of spaces and interactions that disrupt conventional norms. Their ideas are rooted in the belief that modern life can be alienating, and they seek to reclaim authenticity and spontaneity.
Christian ethical thinking varies from demanding absolute obedience to word of God, to a view that there are no binding moral laws, and that everything is relative. Situation ethics is a relatively new notion that sits between those extremes.The situationist has the one law of love (agape), many general rules of wisdom (sophia) which are more or less reliable, and the particular moment of decision (kairos) "in which the responsible self in the situation decides whether the sophia can serve love there or not." According to Joseph Fletcher, who defined this principle, there is no one of the commandments which may not be broken in some situation for love's sake. He says there are four working principles of situationism: pragmatism, relativism, positivism and personalism.In situation ethics, onIy the end justifies the means, and all ethical acts are meaningless apart from either helping or hurting persons. There are no intrinsically good acts except the act of love. The aim is to bring the greatest good (Iove) to the greatest number of men. And if love and law are in conflict, Fletcher says it is the Christian's obligation to put love over the law.