HLT POL 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter N/A: Principle Of Double Effect, Gilbert Harman, Consequentialism

• School: UCLA
• Department: Health Policy and Management
• Course: HLT POL 100
• Professor: Marcy Boroff

Document Summary

The 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. Thomas aquinas is credited with introducing the principle of double effect in his discussion of the permissibility of self-defense in the summa theologica (ii-ii, qu. Killing one"s assailant is justified, he argues, provided one does not intend to kill him. In contrast, augustine had earlier maintained that killing in self-defense was not permissible, arguing that private self-defense can only proceed from some degree of inordinate self-love. And yet, though proceeding from a good intention, an act may be rendered unlawful if it be out of proportion to the end. Wherefore, if a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful, whereas, if he repel force with moderation, his defense will be lawful.