The Principle of Double Effect

What is the principle of double effect?

An act may have more than one effect and be known to have more than one

What is an example of DDE?

Taking contraceptive pills to help painful periods -> secondary effect is that it acts as a contraceptive

What did Aquinas say about self-defence?

"If a man, in self-defence, uses more violence than necessary, it will be unlawful"

What did Aquinas say about DDE?

"Moral acts take their character from what is intended, not from which is outside the intention"
"An act might have a good intention but still be wrong if it is not proportional to the end"

What dd Aquinas mean in his quotes about DDE?

- An act is morally judged by its intention and not the secondary effect

- The act has to be proportional even if it has a good intention

Why is Aquinas interested in actions?

He is a deontologist (so he looks at interior - motivation + exterior - visible actions)

What are the 4 conditions that are part of DDE?

1. The act must not be evil in itself (and killing is not intrinsically evil in the same way murder is)

2. The evil and good that come from the act must be at least equal and good should outweigh evil

3. The intention of the agent must be good

4. A proportionately serious reason must be present to justify allowing the indirect bad effect

What did Anthony Kenny say about DDE?

"There are cases where it makes a huge difference whether an outcome is intended or merely foreseen"

What were Louis Pojman's problems with DDE?

- (In reference to aborting a foetus in order to save the mother) said it was common sense to save the mother's life (DDE isn't needed in this case where the choice is obvious)

- Some of the prescriptions seem counterintuitive (e.g prohibiting someone from changing their religion/marrying who they want because other people will feel depressed and do evil deeds)

- Is not clear how closely linked primary + secondary effects must be in order to be considered intentional (and how can this be proven)

- There is a problem with how the act is described (e.g could abortion be redescribed in which the woman's health/life is in danger as intending to improve the woman's health) -> slippery slope (what can it actually allow)