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Lesson 2 The Principle of Double Effect

This document discusses the principle of double effect, where a human act has both a good intention and an unintended evil consequence. It provides three examples: 1) planting mines during war that kill some friendly soldiers, 2) prescribing medication to a baby that causes hearing loss, and 3) industrialization disturbing the environment. It states that for an act to be justified under this principle, the act must have a good intention, the means used must be good or neutral, and the harmful effect cannot be directly intended. Only experts should apply this principle, as misuse can lead to an unethical act. The document cautions that the usual rules of ethics still apply in most cases.

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Guki Suzuki
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388 views3 pages

Lesson 2 The Principle of Double Effect

This document discusses the principle of double effect, where a human act has both a good intention and an unintended evil consequence. It provides three examples: 1) planting mines during war that kill some friendly soldiers, 2) prescribing medication to a baby that causes hearing loss, and 3) industrialization disturbing the environment. It states that for an act to be justified under this principle, the act must have a good intention, the means used must be good or neutral, and the harmful effect cannot be directly intended. Only experts should apply this principle, as misuse can lead to an unethical act. The document cautions that the usual rules of ethics still apply in most cases.

Uploaded by

Guki Suzuki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module III

Lesson 2 THE PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE EFFECT

Lesson Objective:
After understanding this lesson on the principle of double effect or
two- fold effect, you shall be able to recall an incident or event wherein
the three constitutive parts of a human act are good but evil occurs as a
result of a well-intended human act.
Examples:
1. The order to plant mines during night time to put an end to the war
results in the killing of some soldiers, not on the enemy's side.
2. The doctor's prescribing penstrip to a less than one-year old infant
to save his lungs result in the latter's hard of hearing in his entire
life.
3. Industrialization that is for improvement of production of goods
may result in disturbing ecology.

Thoughts to Ponder on, Gleaned from the Given Selection


1. Only experts can make full use of the principle of two-fold effect.
2. Each discipline has extraordinary cases wherein this principle could
be applicable as long as:
a. The human act has the three constitutive parts.
b. The act should come from a person in high position.
c. The result is not expected.

No book on ethics would be complete without the principle of two-


fold effect. There are cases when the intention or end of a human act is
good but evil occurs as a result of the well-intended human act. For
example, in time of war, a general may consider that the planning of
mines during night time may be the best way to win a war and to prevent
more bloodletting. He commands a number of soldiers to plant the mines.

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As these soldiers were trying to accomplish their mission, the mines
exploded and killed one or two of the soldiers. This is a case of a twofold
effect which is permissible in ethics.
Let us examine the constitutive parts of the human act. The end or
purpose, namely to defeat the enemy and finish the war, is good. The
means employed is the planting of mines in enemy territory which in itself
is neutral or a moral. The circumstances - night time under the cover of
darkness - is propitious to the accomplishment of the mission, and hence
good.
Did the general intend the killing of the soldiers? Did he foresee
that the mines would explode? In both cases, the answer is negative. In
this case, the act of planting mines had a double effect, one of which was
unintended, namely; the killing of the soldiers. The other effect was the
termination of the war.
Care must be taken that this principle is not abused. First, the
means should not in themselves be evil or that they be at least neutral or
moral. Once the means employed are evil, the entire human act is evil,
owing to the principle of "In order that an act be considered good, all the
three constitutive parts must be good; a single defect renders it evil."
Second, the end to be achieved must be a proportionately immense good;
in this case, the end of war. Third, the evil effect must not be directly
intended; otherwise this single defect would render the entire act evil.
The truth is that only experts can make full use of this principle.
Those who are not adept at ethical laws are cautioned against it. For all
intents and purposes, the usual laws regarding the three constitutive parts
of a human act are to be observed.
It is not within the compass of this work to deal with cases
involving the principle of twofold effect in other disciplines like medicine
or science. Suffice it to say that each discipline has extraordinary cases
wherein this principle could be applicable.

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Module III
Lesson 2

SELF-PROGRESS CHECK TEST

Essay: (10 points each)

1. Why does Dr. Quito says only experts can make full use of the
principle of two-fold effect?
2. Cite an incident or occurrence that is an example of this two-fold
effect principle.

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