El sentido de la regla ciceroniana minima de malis eligenda y el problema del uso profiláctico del condón

This paper conducts an analysis of the Ciceronian moral principle minima de malis eligenda («choose the lesser of evils»). The author attempts to show that the statements by Benedict XVI on the prophylactic use of condoms in morally disordered sexual behavior are in harmony with the classical interpretation of this principle, that is, the interpretation that has been considered as true by the classical tradition of natural law. To this end, the paper is structured as follows. First, it explains the meaning of the proportionalist interpretation of the principle minima de malis eligenda and provides a fundamental argument for rejecting it. Second, it outlines three ways in which the principle has operated as a valid moral rule under the non-proportionalist framework of the classical theory of natural law. Third, it proves that the statements of the Pope are in line with one of these appropriate uses of the principle, so there is no reason to believe that he has departed from traditional moral teaching.