Editing Probabilism (section)

==Theology==
{{main|Catholic probabilism}}

In [[Christian ethics|moral theology]], especially [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]], it refers especially to the view in [[casuistry]] that in difficult matters of [[conscience]] one may safely follow a doctrine that is [[probability (moral theology)|probable]], for example is approved by a recognized [[Doctor of the Church]], even if the opposite opinion is more probable.

This view was advanced by the Spanish theologian [[Bartolomé de Medina (theologian)|Bartolomé de Medina]] (1527–1581)<ref name="CE">{{cite Catholic Encyclopedia|wstitle=Probabilism}}</ref> and defended by many [[Jesuits]]. It was heavily criticised by [[Blaise Pascal]] in his [[Lettres provinciales|''Provincial Letters'']]<ref name="CE"/> and by [[Alphonsus Liguori|St. Alphonsus Ligourí]] in his ''Theologia Moralis'',<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ligourí|first1=Alphonsus, St.|title=Theologia Moralis|date=1852|location=Paris|pages=No. 12, 69}}</ref> as leading to moral laxity. Opposed to probabilism is [[probabiliorism]] (Latin ''probabilior'', "more likely"), which holds that when there is a preponderance of evidence on one side of a controversy one is obliged to follow that side, and [[tutiorism]] (Latin ''tutior'', "safer"), which holds that in case of doubt one must take the morally safer side. A more radical view, "minus probabilissimus", holds that an action is permissible if a single opinion allowing that action is available, even if the overwhelming weight of opinion proscribes it.

The doctrine became particularly popular at the start of the 17th century, as it could be used to support almost any position.  By mid-century, such thinking, termed [[Laxism]], was recognized as scandalous.<ref>J. Franklin, ''The Science of Conjecture: Evidence and Probability Before Pascal'' (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001), {{ISBN|0-8018-7109-3}}, "The Scandal of Laxism" p. 83.</ref>