Double Effect - 1138 Words

The objective of this paper is to prove that the Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE), proposed by Saint Thomas Aquinas, is a valid moral principle. It has been concluded that the DDE is a valid moral principle as it allows one to justify whether an action will cause two diverse effects and whether the effects are permissible. It is crucial to establish the validity of the DDE because it has been applied to defend a significant number of contemporary controversial issues (McIntyre). In order to determine whether the DDE is a valid moral principle, the definition of the doctrine itself as well as conditions involved will be demonstrated. In addition, each condition will be applied to differentiate two examples that result in the same outcomes.†¦show more content†¦The doctor was aware that his choice would result in the death of one patient. However, the death of one patient compared to five was able to justify that action. Therefore, the doctors choice of dividing medication into four equal proportions to save the lives of four out of five patients is able to satisfy all the conditions of DDE and therefore it is permissible for the doctor to make such a decision. The doctor’s choice in the Organ Shortage scenario is impermissible. From a quantitative point of view, it may seem the doctor’s choice is permissible as it resulted in the death of one patient as opposed to four. However, the death of the patient is not a side-effect of curing the four other patients. Moreover, the death of the fifth patient has been used as a means to achieve the good end. The doctor’s choice fails to meet the conditions of DDE as the doctor withheld medication from a patient whose life depended on the medication. Therefore, it has been concluded that the doctor’s choice is impermissible. The above scenarios may seem identical as the doctor made the decision that was able to save the greatest number of people. However, it has been identified that the circumstances were different and As the two similar actions are distinguished, the creditability of the DDE in relation to justifying controversial issues has been proved. Since the DDE has established a moralShow MoreRelatedThe Doctrine of Double Effect2090 Words   |  8 Pagesmoral dilemma of having to kill someone. This is where the Doctrine of Double Effect comes into play. The Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) is a principal which aims to provide specific guidelines for determining when it is morally permissible to perform an action in the pursuit of a positive outcome with the full knowledge that the action will also bring about an evil consequence. (Solomon, 2014). Although the Doctrine of Double Effect is viewed as a positive theory by man, it is unjust in that it givesRead MoreProblems With The Doctrine Of Double Effect1904 Words   |  8 PagesJessie Buckler Term Paper Philosophy 3300 April 25, 2016 PROBLEMS WITH THE DOCTRINE OF DOUBLE EFFECT Defenders of the Doctrine of Double Effect argue that there is a morally significant distinction, which bears on the rightness of actions, between those consequences of our actions that are intended and those that are foreseen. Utilitarians often use this doctrine to describe their stance on the topic of harming others. This paper will look at three situations that are commonly used to defendRead MoreThe Doctrine Of Double Effect1163 Words   |  5 PagesDoctrine of Double Effect The Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) is utilized in the explanation of the permissibility of dealings and actions that result in impairment for example, death of a person, as a result of achieving some good at the end. This explains that it is sometimes acceptable to harm someone if the action will evoke some good at the end (Mclntyre 42). This reasoning was introduced by Thomas Aquinas but has developed and many versions of the same have erupted. Scanlon’s view of Double EffectRead MoreThe Doctrine Of Double Effect877 Words   |  4 Pagesrespirations. However, the Doctrine of Double Effect helps to determine if the act is permissible. With this particular case, Nicolas is faced with the situation of either facing unbearable pain or taking morphine to ease the pain in his last months of life. Before this case can be analyzed according to the Doctrine of Double Effect, one must first consider the act, good effect, and bad effect. In this case, the act is the use of morphine. The good effect that comes from the act is the relief ofRead MoreThe Doctrine Of Double Effect2007 Words   |  9 PagesThe doctrine (or principle) of double effect is often invoked to explain the permissibility of an action that causes a serious harm, such as the death of a human being, as a side effect of promoting some good end (McIntyre, 2004) . According to the principle of double effect (DDE), there are times where it is permissible to cause harm – as a side effect of bringing about a good result, even though it would not be acceptable to cause such harm as a means to providing the same good end. I will nowRead MoreNatural Law A nd The Preservation Of Human Life1301 Words   |  6 Pagesalready been instilled with Natural Law. A young woman who is four months pregnant has recently discovered that she has tuberculosis. The doctor informs her that she must take a drug that will cure her disease, but that the drug will also have the effect of aborting the fetus. There is no other available drug that will cure her disease, and if she does not take the drug immediately she will die. According to natural law, may the young woman take the drug? Both the mother and the fetus are innocentRead MoreTaking a Look at Euthanasia537 Words   |  2 Pageslife’s natural purposes, including euthanasia, are erroneous on moral grounds. In addition, the doctrine of double effect clarifies that any positive effects of euthanasia does not outweigh the forbiddances of the action. Essentially, Natural Law protests euthanasia as it interferes with life’s natural purposes and does not meet the criteria for acceptance under the doctrine of double effect. As a moral theory, Natural Law theory holds that what is moral is consistent with the natural purposes ofRead MoreEssay about Active Euthanasia is Murder2447 Words   |  10 Pagesformat)Unexpected events during the death can be traumatic...One in eight patients had       what the researchers termed problems with completion,    such as an undesirably long time to reach death, and one    in ten suffered side effects such as fits and vomiting. As a    result, a fifth of doctors intending just to assist at a suicide    ended up having to take over.    In other cases, family members were warned that they may wish to leave the room when the patientRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Considered More Than Others2390 Words   |  10 Pagestherefore, Physician-Assisted Suicide should be legally obtained in every state. A few terms and principles that need to be introduced before making an argument to support them are Physician-Assisted Suicide, The slippery slope argument, autonomy, double effect, and beneficence. The currently accepted definition of Physician-Assisted Suicide is when â€Å"a physician intentionally helping a person to terminate his or her life by providing drugs for self-administration, at the person’s voluntary and competentRead MoreEssay on The Doctrine of Double Effect1307 Words   |  6 PagesCase Assignment: The doctrine of double effect says that the pursuit of good is not as acceptable if the harm that results is intended rather than merely foreseen (Lippert-Rasmussen, 2010). To some it is a nonabsolutist moral principle in which as long as significant good resulted from the action, it is allowable (Lippert-Ramussen, 2010). Scanlon believed that an act that leads to the death of an innocent person can never be justified by the good that results (Lippert-Ramussen, 2010). Scanlons