Perspective II puts emphasis on the context and on freedom to make choices on particular occasions that are appropriate to the situation in the light of fundamental obligations and goals. Principles and context may be variously combined. This scheme is most useful as an analytical tool to uncover the presuppositions that underlie moral positions that are actually taken. It is not sufficient or even necessarily helpful as a guide to constructive decision-making of a normative sort. The examples given are typical positions that are to be found in the vicinity of the pole under which it is listed.
Variations are possible.
For example, Roman Catholic theory insists that every sexual act must be open to procreation. Paul Ramsey argues that it is not every sexual act but only the realm of reproduction that is not to be severed from intercourse between wife and husband. Hence, birth control may be used by married couples for rational family planning, but no reproduction is to take place outside married love. Hence, in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination by other than the husband, surrogate motherhood, etc. are immoral. At the other extreme, Joseph Fletcher would reject both of these positions, asking only what love requires or permits under given circumstances, and love requires or permits whatever maximizes human good, all things considered.