Proportionalism & the double effect

Question 1

What is a strength of the double effect?

A strength of the double effect is that it is pragmatic.

Answer 1

A strength of the double effect is that it is pragmatic.

Question 2

Why is the double effect considered pragmatic?

A strength of the double effect is that it is pragmatic.

Answer 2

It fits with the reality of moral decision-making, where actions can have two effects and a method is required to judge them.

Question 3

How does Aquinas’ self-defence illustration support the double effect?

A strength of the double effect is that it is pragmatic.

Answer 3

Aquinas’ self-defence illustration is intuitive, showing that it makes sense to justify an action with a good effect even if it has a bad side effect.

Question 4

Why is a method like the double effect necessary in moral decision making?

A strength of the double effect is that it is pragmatic.

Answer 4

Because sometimes actions can have both good and bad effects, and a method is needed to assess the morality of such actions.

Question 5

How does the double effect address the complexity of real-life moral decisions?

A strength of the double effect is that it is pragmatic.

Answer 5

The double effect provides a framework for justifying actions that have both positive and negative outcomes, acknowledging the complexity of real-life moral decisions.

Question 6

What is a strength of proportionalism in moral decision making?

Proportionalism has the strength of being better suited to moral decision making in our imperfect world.

Answer 6

Proportionalism is better suited to moral decision making in our imperfect world.

Question 7

How does the Fall relate to the suitability of proportionalism?

Proportionalism has the strength of being better suited to moral decision making in our imperfect world.

Answer 7

The Fall destabilized creation, including the moral order, making a deontological approach to natural law less fitting in a post-lapsarian world.

Question 8

Why might a deontological approach to natural law be problematic in our world?

Proportionalism has the strength of being better suited to moral decision making in our imperfect world.

Answer 8

In a post-lapsarian world, the presence of ontic evil around acts that follow natural law can sometimes prevent flourishing.

Question 9

How are ontic goods and evils defined in proportionalism?

Proportionalism has the strength of being better suited to moral decision making in our imperfect world.

Answer 9

Ontic goods and evils are defined in relation to whatever enables or disables flourishing.

Question 10

What is our telos according to proportionalism?

Proportionalism has the strength of being better suited to moral decision making in our imperfect world.

Answer 10

Our telos includes flourishing, so following proportionalism would successfully orient us towards our ultimate end.

Question 11

What is a key argument of John Paul II against proportionalism?

Weakness

Answer 11

John Paul II argues that proportionalism takes consequences too far by claiming there are no intrinsically evil actions.

Question 12

Why does John Paul II believe that intrinsically evil acts can never enable the achievement of our telos?

Weakness

Answer 12

Intrinsically evil acts disorder us and can never rightly order us towards our end, even if intended to bring about a greater balance of ontic goods over evils.

Question 13

What does John Paul II suggest is the proper response to intrinsically evil acts, even in difficult situations?

Weakness

Answer 13

It is better to avoid intrinsically evil acts and bear the consequences, even if it means suffering and dying, as early Christians were prepared to be martyred for their faith.

Question 14

According to John Paul II, what ultimately aims us at our telos of glorifying God?

Weakness

Answer 14

Only the intentional following of the natural law within our nature aims us at our telos of glorifying God.

Question 15

What does John Paul II say about the relationship between good intentions, intrinsically evil acts, and circumstances?

Weakness

Answer 15

Good intentions or particular circumstances can diminish the evil of intrinsically evil acts but cannot remove it.

Question 16

How does John Paul II define a good intention?

Weakness

Answer 16

A good intention aims at the true good of the person in view of his ultimate end, but acts whose object cannot be ordered to God are always in conflict with that good.

Question 17

How does Christian ethics view the relationship between the moral object and the inner ‘teleology’

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 17

It is seen as a self-serving illustration because it is easier for people to understand sacrificing oneself rather than breaking natural law, but it doesn’t address cases where not breaking the natural law lets others suffer and die.

Question 18

What example is given to illustrate the limitations of John Paul II’s approach to natural law?

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 18

Euthanasia is an example where adhering strictly to natural law might result in letting others suffer and die, highlighting a limitation of John Paul II’s approach.

Question 19

Why might proportionalism be considered more practical than John Paul II’s strict natural law approach?

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 19

Proportionalism might be considered more practical because it allows for breaking natural law if it results in a greater balance of ontic goods over evils, addressing real-world moral dilemmas where strict adherence to natural law can cause harm.

Question 20

What central aspect of proportionalism contrasts with John Paul II’s view?

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 20

Proportionalism focuses on the balance of ontic goods over evils produced by actions, whereas John Paul II insists on the intrinsic evil of certain acts regardless of consequences.

Question 21

What ethical principle does John Paul II prioritize in moral decision-making?

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 21

John Paul II prioritizes the intrinsic nature of acts and adherence to natural law over consequentialist considerations.

Question 22

How does proportionalism view the concept of ‘intrinsically evil acts’?

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 22

Proportionalism rejects the notion of intrinsically evil acts, suggesting that the moral value of an action depends on the proportion of ontic goods to evils it produces.

Question 23

Why is euthanasia a significant example in the debate between natural law and proportionalism?

Evaluation defending proportionalism

Answer 23

Euthanasia exemplifies a situation where proportionalism might justify breaking natural law to alleviate suffering, challenging the inflexibility of traditional natural law ethics.

Question 24

What is the ultimate argument against all forms of religious consequentialism?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 24

Religious consequentialism misunderstands the purpose of morality; it is not about achieving happiness but following God’s moral law.

Question 25

According to critics of proportionalism, what is the primary purpose of morality?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 25

The primary purpose of morality is to follow God’s moral law, not to achieve happiness or balance goods and evils.

Question 26

How did Aristotle and Aquinas define flourishing?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 26

Aristotle and Aquinas defined flourishing as cultivating the virtues that rationally order us in our actions towards our end, not merely achieving happiness.

Question 27

What does John Paul II’s example of the martyrs illustrate about the purpose of morality?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 27

It illustrates that virtuous suffering and even dying for faith is considered flourishing, showing that the purpose of morality is adherence to God’s law, even if it involves suffering.

Question 28

How does Cardinal Newman express the importance of following God’s law over avoiding suffering?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 28

Newman states that it is better for the world to end and for all humanity to suffer and die than for one person to commit a single venial sin.

Question 29

What is the criticism against proportionalism regarding its view on suffering and moral actions?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 29

The criticism is that proportionalism wrongly prioritizes achieving happiness or minimizing suffering over adhering strictly to God’s moral law.

Question 30

According to critics, what should our approach be in a fallen world when following God’s law results in suffering?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 30

In a fallen world, we should still follow God’s law even if it results in suffering, as this is considered virtuous and aligns with our ultimate end.

Question 31

How do critics of proportionalism view the relationship between virtue and suffering?

Evaluation criticising proportionalism

Answer 31

Critics believe that enduring suffering can be virtuous if it aligns with following God’s moral law, thus contributing to true flourishing.