ABSTRACT

This chapter presents an introduction to the doctrine of double effect, followed by a thought experiment. It is followed by a short discussion and then a series of questions. Murder is worse than self-defence because with murder the intention is to kill and not to defend oneself; whereas in self-defence it is to defend oneself and not kill. This thought process has come to be known as the Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) and is used in many cases: for example euthanasia and abortion where the woman's life is in danger. This is explained with the thought experiment which presents a case on counter-terrorist organization. The questions are intended to get the philosophy students thinking about the problems and they have used these kinds of questions in seminars as the questions set for seminars. The chapter also gives a cursory sketch of some of the ways in which philosophers have responded to thought experiment.