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Intention and responsibility in double effect cases.

D K Chan1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.

Ethical Theory and Moral Practice : an International Forum
|March 16, 2004
PubMed
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This study redefines the Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) by focusing on an agent's desire, not intention, to explain moral distinctions in complex cases. This approach offers a clearer evaluation of agent blameworthiness.

Area of Science:

  • Moral Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Decision Theory

Background:

  • The traditional Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) struggles to consistently identify when an agent intends a morally objectionable side-effect.
  • Existing frameworks face challenges in distinguishing between intended and foreseen consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a revised Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) grounded in the concept of desire rather than intention.
  • To offer a more robust method for evaluating agent blameworthiness in cases with foreseen negative outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mental states, specifically intention and desire, in relation to foreseen side-effects.
  • Application of Bratman's criteria for intention to agents certain of side-effects.
  • Development and application of a 'counterfactual test' to ascertain an agent's desire regarding side-effects.
Keywords:
Bioethics and Professional EthicsPhilosophical Approach

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Main Results:

  • An agent's certainty of a side-effect occurring satisfies criteria for intending that effect.
  • Moral distinctions in double effect cases arise from the agent's desire (or lack thereof) concerning the side-effect, not solely intention.
  • Agent blameworthiness is better assessed by their desire not to cause the side-effect.

Conclusions:

  • A revised DDE, focusing on desire, provides a more accurate and less abusable framework for moral evaluation.
  • This virtue ethics-based approach offers more plausible distinctions in standard double effect scenarios.
  • The 'counterfactual test' is a key tool for determining an agent's desire in acting, impacting moral assessment.