The Erroneous Moral Theories of Consequentialism and Proportionalism

The need for a sufficient proportion of good effects in order to tolerate the evil effects using the Principle of Double Effect must be distinguished from the condemned moral theories of consequentialism and proportionalism. Popular especially among European and American theologians after Vatican II, they argued that in determining moral lawfulness the end (intention) could justify an otherwise evil act (proportionalism), or, the foreseen good effects could justify an action that previously has been judged to be morally evil.

These theories denied that any act was intrinsically evil by its object alone, apart from its intention and circumstances. Even abortion, contraception, adultery and other intrinsic evils, which the entire moral tradition has condemned, could, in some cases, be morally good by reason of their intention or consequences.

Pope St. John Paul II, in his Encyclical Veritatis Splendor, specifically condemned these theories.