Ideas from 'Abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect' by Philippa Foot [1967], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Virtues and Vices' by Foot,Philippa [Blackwell 1981,0-631-12749-6]].

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20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / b. Double Effect

22384

A 'double effect' is a foreseen but not desired side-effect, which may be forgivable

22385

The doctrine of double effect can excuse an outcome because it wasn't directly intended

22386

Double effect says foreseeing you will kill someone is not the same as intending it

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Without double effect, bad men can make us do evil by threatening something worse

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Double effect seems to rely on a distinction between what we do and what we allow

25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 3. Abortion

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Abortion is puzzling because we do and don't want the unborn child to have rights