Double Effect
A principle in Natural Moral Law and Catholic moral theology stating that an action with both good and bad effects may be morally permissible if: (1) the action itself is morally good or neutral, (2) the good effect is intended while the bad is merely foreseen, (3) the good effect outweighs the bad, and (4) no better alternative exists. This allows seemingly prohibited actions in tragic circumstances.
Real World
During the Roe v. Wade debates, Catholic hospitals invoked double effect to justify performing abortions only when a mother's life was directly threatened — the death of the foetus was a foreseen but unintended side-effect of saving her life.
Exam Focus
List all four conditions of double effect in order; examiners award marks for precise recall of each criterion, not vague description.
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