The Principle Of Double Effect To Aid In A Moral Dilemma
As we train to become Naval and Marine Corps officers, we are briefed and told about the tough decisions that we will one day be expected to make. While specifics cannot be given, we are taught that we must strive to develop our character, integrity, and moral backbone to its highest degree so that we can confidently and assuredly make those decisions when the time comes. Often though, those decisions could present us with a moral dilemma—a situation where whatever course of action is take, there is still some negative outcome. We must prepare by studying the tools we are taught as well as reflecting upon what we feel is the morally-just decision. One specific moral dilemma is present in the case where a woman is pregnant and it is discovered
…show more content…
The first of those is that the act must be innately good and morally permissible. Here, the intention is to save the mother by a surgical operation. This in itself is certainly moral and even encouraged. Second, in order for the decision to save the mother’s life to be made, the bad effect of the decision cannot be avoided if the food is to be achieved.1 Meaning, that if the only way to save the mother’s life is to remove the uterus and kill the baby, the baby’s death cannot be avoided. Third, the bad effect must not be used as a means to achieve the good.1 The death of her baby is not necessary to treat her cancer, however, the removal of her uterus is. Therefore the harm that is done (the death of the child) is not intended. They child was not used as a means to ensure the mother lived. Lastly, the good effect of the action must outweigh the bad. If the bad effect was greater in significance, the decision should not be made.1 In this particular case, the death of the baby does not outweigh the life of the mother, therefore the procedure can proceed. Using the principle of double effect, a very difficult and morally conflicting decision can be made. Although it must be made, it is not always easy. That is why, we as future Naval officers, must rely on the moral foundation we learn here at the Academy in order to make difficult decisions in the
The first of those is that the act must be innately good and morally permissible. Here, the intention is to save the mother by a surgical operation. This in itself is certainly moral and even encouraged. Second, in order for the decision to save the mother’s life to be made, the bad effect of the decision cannot be avoided if the food is to be achieved.1 Meaning, that if the only way to save the mother’s life is to remove the uterus and kill the baby, the baby’s death cannot be avoided. Third, the bad effect must not be used as a means to achieve the good.1 The death of her baby is not necessary to treat her cancer, however, the removal of her uterus is. Therefore the harm that is done (the death of the child) is not intended. They child was not used as a means to ensure the mother lived. Lastly, the good effect of the action must outweigh the bad. If the bad effect was greater in significance, the decision should not be made.1 In this particular case, the death of the baby does not outweigh the life of the mother, therefore the procedure can proceed. Using the principle of double effect, a very difficult and morally conflicting decision can be made. Although it must be made, it is not always easy. That is why, we as future Naval officers, must rely on the moral foundation we learn here at the Academy in order to make difficult decisions in the