1. To know the definition of proportionalists
2. To understand why proportionalism is advocated
3. To understand criticism of proportionalism

Definition:
Proportionalism (or consequentialism in its extreme form): An ethical system wherein one weighs good and bad effects in order to determine the proper action.

Support for Proportionalism:
Supporters of proportionalism contend that absolutist rules are illogical and irrelevant to today's complicated life.  They further claim that no action is good or bad in its own right, but must be judged in context with the effect.  For example, being generous and giving money is not intrinsically good or bad.  Rather, one must weigh to whom money is being given - to a poor mother who needs it to support her child, or to a drug addict who wants it to purchase illegal drugs. Proportionalists claim all must be weighed in its own terms.

Criticism of proportionalism:

• Nothing is evil in itself.  We have to wait until we see the consequences.
• Proportionalism implies that what is good is not really good, but merely better.
• Denies that each moral action humanizes and each immoral action dehumanizes, independent of consequences.   This denies that we are what we do (evil or good).   Thus proportionalism claims we can separate ourselves from our actions - that our body and spirit can be separated.
• It may encourage one to do a small evil to produce a greater good (i.e., steal to help finances, lie to save face or prevent conflict)
• Proportionalism implies  we are able to weigh incommensurable goods and foresee all consequences.  Is life more complex than Dear Abby?
• Proportionalism is very subjective.  Moral visions vary  and shouldn't our moral vision grow daily?