Situated ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the profound importance of one's personal and physical involvement in ongoing processes, such as climate and ecosystems, over abstract cultural or theoretical standards. It posits that an actor's actions are primarily determined by their actual physical, geographical, ecological, and infrastructural state, rejecting the notion of a single, authoritative viewpoint for applying ethical standards. This perspective often aligns with advocates of political decentralization and is less popular with traditional authorities.
The theory notably critiques Lawrence Kohlberg's idea of a "universal ethics," arguing that all ethical decisions are inherently situated in the world. Instead, it aligns more closely with Carol Gilligan's embodied view, which stresses ethical relationships between individuals rather than abstract, disembodied principles. Ethicists operating within this framework often focus on navigating "right versus right" dilemmas within specific contexts, prioritizing concerns like human rights or survival. A significant text exploring this field is Helen Simons and Robin Usher's 2000 publication, Situated Ethics in Educational Research.