Principle of Double Effect1. Here we have to look at the results of the act, even though we might not intend them.
2. When an action will have two effects, – one good one which is intended, and – another evil effect which is foreseen, not intended, but only permitted Double Effect - The intended effect, good or evil, is called “direct” - The unintended but foreseen effect is said to be “indirect” - They are both “voluntary” - Do good and avoid evil is the right order which must be preserved as a fundamental tenet of the natural law; - Under what circumstances is an action consonant with right order? Two precepts of the Natural Law must be attended to: - One must not intend to do that which is evil. (negative precept) - One must prevent evil insofar as one can reasonably do so. (positive precept) Principle of Double Effect - The Principle of Double Effect states that an action, good in itself, which has two effects--an intended good effect, and a foreseen, but not intended evil effect—is moral provided there is a just order between the intended good and the permitted evil. - A large number of moral questions are solved by the principle of double effect. Principle of Double Effect-Overview 1. That the action, in itself, be good or at least indifferent (neutral) - The Action Must be Good in Itself – It is a fundamental rule of conscience that one may never do evil in order that good may come of it (see St. Paul) – The action, considered in itself, apart from the concomitant evil effect, must be morally good, or at least indifferent. 2. Good must be willed and evil effect merely tolerated. • Which Has Two Effects: - Good and Evil; - Both the good and the evil effects are results of the action in question; - Example: Someone could use the morally good information about fertility as part of a plan to achieve a pregnancy out of wedlock or to engage in fornication • A Merely Permitted Evil Effect: - Called the indirect voluntary effect: that is, although foreseen as an evil effect resulting from the action, it is no way an object of the act of the will; - Its connection with the will is indirect -- i.e., in that the act of the will does in some way cause the evil effect. 3. Good effect must not come about as a result of evil effect, but must come directly from the action itself. · Intended Good Effect- is called the direct voluntary effect. · It is the good that determines the will 4. Good effect must be at least equivalent in importance to evil effect. · Just order (due proportion) Between the Intended Good and Foreseen Evil Effects - may licitly be placed that is, without moral guilt; - provided there is a just order between the intended good and the permitted evil · Just Order or Due Proportion - Truth about God; truth about creation (Highest; but always reasonable); - Common Good-Public safety; education; - Individual Good of Life v One’s own: Suicide-no; martyrdom-yes. v One’s neighbor - Health and well-being including fertility v Totality-can sacrifice an organ or limb to save a life - Convenience, annoyance, minor issues of justice; - We do not permit directly destroying a subordinate good for the sake of the greater, but we can allow the sacrifice, as in martyrdom or totality. - If the good effect could be obtained in an equally expeditious and effective way, without the unintended evil effect, this must be done. - In that case there would be no just reason for permitting the evil effect. |
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