Intro: Summarizing Foot's Analysis of the "Doctrine of the Double Effect"

Most choices made in society are based on a number of different factors. Theories such as the "double effect" are meant to back up choices made in society. According to Foot, Catholics created the "doctrine of the double effect" in order to support their position on abortion. I will quickly summarize her ideas and arguments in order to set a tone for the blogs that will follow. 

The doctrine of the double effect relies strongly on the difference between what a person "foresees" as an outcome of his/or her actions, and what he or she actually intended the outcome to be. The double effect refers to two very specific effects. One that is “aimed at, and the one foreseen but in no way desired” (Foot p.266). Foot goes on to explain that “oblique intention” and “ direct intention” are often times the determining factors for the doctrine of double effect. By oblique intention a person brings about something that was unintended. Direct intention refers to a person bringing about an effect deliberately.

One of the examples that she used was based on a pregnant woman and the fetus. This woman is in labor and will definitely die unless her physician performs a craniotomy. This example is supported by the idea that the physician does "foresee" the mother's death, therefore he or she does not directly "intend" her death. Thus making her death moral under the doctrine. To perform a craniotomy would without doubt kill the child and therefore killing it would be a "direct" intent and which is not considered moral under the doctrine of double effect.

As we can see the entire doctrine is about means to an end. If the end result, or the means to the end result is intended to cause any harm it is considered unacceptable. I leave you with this thought. The double effect can be applied to most controversial or life and death situations. This blog will take real situations in communities around the US and apply them to these philosophies. How often can you apply the double effect to situations in your life and community?