Principle Of Cooperation In Evil



In Christian morality we strive to be good, to be virtuous. Original sin, however, with the help of our free will, opens us up to concupiscence or the capacity to sin and to be evil. The degree to which we become involved in evil can be defined by the moral principles of ‘cooperation in evil’ highlighted and explained below. In general ‘cooperation in evil’ is broken into either active or passive formal cooperation, or active or passive material cooperation; material cooperation into immediate and mediate; and mediate material cooperation into proximate and remote! The highest degree of cooperation in evil would therefore occur with active formal cooperation and the lowest with mediate remote passive material cooperation. Obviously the best course of action would be to have no cooperation in evil!

In the case of the use of embryo derived vaccines, their use is defined as at least mediate remote passive material cooperation. However, if the entire population were to not use those same morally tainted vaccines it would likely result in congenital rubella syndrome-death and illness. We would then be responsible for at least mediate remote passive material cooperation in evil; with death and illness as the likely outcome. It might even be considered mediate remote active material cooperation; cooperation with evil of a slightly higher degree. The failure to do something, by omission, can be an ‘active’ process and does not necessarily free one from ‘doing’ evil, especially if failure to act contributes to the evil. It must be also mentioned that the idea of doing a ‘lesser evil’ by its own definition implies that you are still doing evil (evil does not disappear because it is ‘lesser’).

Two other concepts can widen the scope (scandal) or narrow the scope (duress) of cooperation with evil. In other words, if by having faithful Christians involved in mediate remote passive material cooperation with embryo derived vaccines the world came to view that as an approval, scandal would have happened (bringing others into sin). If, on the other hand, the parent felt pressured (duress or ‘extrema ratio’) to protect her children and that of other pregnant women (to avoid congenital rubella syndrome) then the mediate remote passive material cooperation takes on a less cooperation in evil nature.

Definition Of The Moral Concept Of Cooperation In Evil (using abortion as an example):

· Formal Cooperation: Occurs when one cooperates or assents to the immoral actions or evil intents of another. If one advises or counsels in full agreement with the actions, even though he does not physically take part he is still in formal cooperation.

            o Acitve: A true supportive act (positive action) of cooperation in a sinful action. Performing an abortion.

            o Passive: Omission of any action (negative action) to thwart an obvious evil intent and being in full agreement with it. Assisting in an abortion but not actually doing it.

· Material Cooperation: One cooperates with the immoral action of another but does not share in his intent.

            o Active: A (positive action) supportive act of cooperation in a sinful action, but not in agreement with it.

            o Passive: Omission of any action (negative action) to thwart an obvious evil intent. Not in agreement with the evil act but not doing anything to thwart it.

                        § Immediate: Doing something that is necessary for the actual performance of the evil act, directly involved. Assisting at an abortion clinic (secretary) but not in agreement with its actions. Immediate actions are always proximate.

                        § Mediate: Doing something that is not necessarily needed in the performance of the evil act, but only assists in its performance, indirectly involved. Supplying instruments for the abortion clinic.

                                · Proximate: The nurse who sets up the abortion instruments

                                · Remote: The janitor who cleans the building

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