Full Idea
Supporters of double effect say that sometimes it makes a difference to the permissibility of an action involving harm to others that this harm, although foreseen, is not part of the agent's intention.
Gist of Idea
The doctrine of double effect can excuse an outcome because it wasn't directly intended
Source
Philippa Foot (Abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect [1967], p.22)
Book Reference
Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.22
A Reaction
The obvious major case is the direction of wartime bombing raids. Controversial, because how can someone foresee a side effect and yet claim to have no intention to cause it? Isn't it wickedly self-deluding?
Related Idea
Idea 22384 A 'double effect' is a foreseen but not desired side-effect, which may be forgivable [Foot]