Worksheet

John Robinson on Situation Ethics: Worksheet

A worksheet on John Robinson's key ideas on situation ethics, including what they are, how they work, and why they're important.

1.

Who was John Robinson and what are his key ideas on situation ethics?

John Robinson (1919-1983) was a British priest and theologian who shot to prominence in the second half of the twentieth century after the publication of his sensational book, Honest to God, in 1963. In 1942, he received a first-class BA in theology from the University of Cambridge, followed by a MA and a PhD. His most senior clerical appointment was as Bishop of Woolwich, a post he accepted in 1959 and from which he wrote Honest to God. In 1969, he became a Fellow and Dean of Trinity College, Cambridge. Make a note about who he was and what he did.

2.

John Robinson introduced three key ideas about situation ethics in his book, Honest to God. Make a note about these three key ideas.

  1. ×
Add item
3.

How do John Robinson's key ideas on situation ethics work?

John Robinson's key ideas on situation ethics are primarily concerned with the nature of God and Jesus, which he redefined in the opening chapters of Honest to God. This led to the idea that ethical decision-making should be guided by love on a case-by-case, context-specific basis. Explain how each of John Robinson's key ideas works.

4.

God is the ultimate reality found in personal relationships: love

5.

Jesus is the man for others who perfectly embodies love.

6.

Ethical decision-making is that which is most loving given the context.

Jesus is the man for others who perfectly embodies love.

7.

Why are John Robinson's key ideas on situation ethics important?

The key ideas of John Robinson are important for three reasons in particular (although there are several others). Make a note about why his key ideas are important.

  1. ×
Add item