In the doctrine of Double Effect, which scenario is permissible?

• A. When the bad effect is intended
• B. When the action is morally neutral
• C. When the good effect is unintended and the bad effect is foreseen
• D. When the good effect is intended and the bad effect is unintended

Answer: (D)

The doctrine of double effect allows an action with both good and bad consequences only if the good effect is intended, the bad effect is foreseen but not intended, and the bad effect is not the means by which the good effect is achieved. The scenario that fits this is when the good effect is intended and the bad effect is unintended. You’re aiming for the beneficial outcome and you do not intend the harm; the harm is not the way the good outcome is produced, though you acknowledge it could happen. This preserves moral responsibility by separating intention from side effects and by not using harm as a means to the good. The other patterns fail because they either ill-treat intention (harm is intended or used as a means) or lack a stated intentional aim for the good effect.