Morals of the Church
Library › Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology › On the Principles of Moral Theology › Book Fourth. On Conscience. › Question Second. On the Moral System. › Article First. On the Various Systems.

paragraph — Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology

§ 1. On Absolute Tutiorism.

229.

229. Absolute tutiorism teaches: it is never lawful to follow the opinion for liberty, even if it is most probable.

  1. This doctrine, rigoristic beyond measure, was defended by Sinnichius (d. 1666), a doctor of Louvain, and the Jansenists maintain it. For since the Jansenists taught that there are precepts which are impossible for men, and that grace is not given by which they would become possible, they tried to increase the burdens and precepts imposed on the faithful in order to protect this doctrine.

  2. Their arguments are these: a. It is a received axiom: in doubt the safer part is to be chosen; but the safer part stands for the law; therefore we are always bound to observe the law, unless it is certain that the law never existed or has already ceased. b. It is not lawful by one's action to expose oneself to the danger of sinning; but even he who follows a most probable opinion exposes himself by operating to the danger of sinning: for even a most probable opinion can be false.

  3. Refutation. a. This doctrine has been reprobated by the Church: for by Alexander VIII this proposition (3) was condemned: it is not lawful to follow an opinion even the most probable among the probable. b. He who simply teaches that in doubt that must be done which is safer falsely affirms that what is of counsel is a precept: for God does not oblige to that which is safer, but to that which is simply safe. c. He who affirms that even doubtful laws must be observed imposes against the will of God an intolerable yoke on the faithful and makes divine precepts impossible for them; but it is lawful for no one to impose obligations from which God wills the faithful to be immune, lest precepts be rendered impossible for them. d. What the tutiorists add, that it is lawful for no one by acting to expose himself to the danger of sinning, is true if there is question of the danger of formally sinning; but it is not necessary that even the danger of materially sinning always be excluded, as will be clear below.

Tutiorism