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Single Idea 7293
[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / b. Double Effect
]
Full Idea
The doctrine of double effect says that it is legitimate to do harm if the harm is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a legitimate goal.
Gist of Idea
It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good
Source
A.C. Grayling (Among the Dead Cities [2006], Ch.6)
Book Ref
Grayling,A.C.: 'Among the Dead Cities' [Bloomsbury 2006], p.215
A Reaction
I think a key principle of morality is our duty to think about possible unnoticed consequences of our actions. To neglect concern for side-effects is wicked. Beyond that, the issue must concern the particulars of the situation.
The
14 ideas
with the same theme
[assessing effects against side effects of an act]:
22384
|
A 'double effect' is a foreseen but not desired side-effect, which may be forgivable
[Foot]
|
22385
|
The doctrine of double effect can excuse an outcome because it wasn't directly intended
[Foot]
|
22386
|
Double effect says foreseeing you will kill someone is not the same as intending it
[Foot]
|
22387
|
Without double effect, bad men can make us do evil by threatening something worse
[Foot]
|
22388
|
Double effect seems to rely on a distinction between what we do and what we allow
[Foot]
|
22466
|
We see a moral distinction between our aims and their foreseen consequences
[Foot]
|
22465
|
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]
|
4657
|
Double Effect: no bad acts with good consequences, but possibly good acts despite bad consequences
[Glover]
|
6896
|
Double effect is the distinction between what is foreseen and what is intended
[Mautner]
|
6897
|
Double effect acts need goodness, unintended evil, good not caused by evil, and outweighing
[Mautner]
|
7293
|
It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good
[Grayling]
|
20068
|
Describing a death as a side-effect rather than a goal may just be good public relations
[Stout,R]
|