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Single Idea 23578
[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / b. Double Effect
]
Full Idea
Double effect is defensible, I want to argue, only when the two outcomes are the product of a double intention - that 'good' be achieved, and that the foreseeable evil be reduced as far as possible.
Gist of Idea
Double Effect needs a double intention - to achieve the good, and minimise the evil
Source
Michael Walzer (Just and Unjust Wars [1977], 09)
Book Ref
Walzer,Michael: 'Just and Unjust Wars' [Penguin 1984], p.155
A Reaction
A good proposal, I think. We have to accept evil side effects sometimes, but it is immoral to pursue some good 'whatever the cost'.
The
14 ideas
with the same theme
[assessing effects against side effects of an act]:
22384
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A 'double effect' is a foreseen but not desired side-effect, which may be forgivable
[Foot]
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22385
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The doctrine of double effect can excuse an outcome because it wasn't directly intended
[Foot]
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22386
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Double effect says foreseeing you will kill someone is not the same as intending it
[Foot]
|
22387
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Without double effect, bad men can make us do evil by threatening something worse
[Foot]
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22388
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Double effect seems to rely on a distinction between what we do and what we allow
[Foot]
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22466
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We see a moral distinction between our aims and their foreseen consequences
[Foot]
|
22465
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We see a moral distinction between doing and allowing to happen
[Foot]
|
22467
|
Acts and omissions only matter if they concern doing something versus allowing it
[Foot]
|
23578
|
Double Effect needs a double intention - to achieve the good, and minimise the evil
[Walzer]
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4657
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Double Effect: no bad acts with good consequences, but possibly good acts despite bad consequences
[Glover]
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6896
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Double effect is the distinction between what is foreseen and what is intended
[Mautner]
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6897
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Double effect acts need goodness, unintended evil, good not caused by evil, and outweighing
[Mautner]
|
7293
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It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good
[Grayling]
|
20068
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Describing a death as a side-effect rather than a goal may just be good public relations
[Stout,R]
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