Final answer:
The doctrine of double effect is a moral principle that guides decision-making when an action has both good and bad consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The doctrine of double effect is a moral principle that guides decision-making when an action has both good and bad consequences. It states that an action is permissible if four requirements are met:
- The action itself is good or morally neutral.
- The agent's intention is to bring about the good consequence.
- The good consequence is not a direct result of the bad consequence.
- The good consequence outweighs the bad consequence.
For example, in the case of self-defense, killing another person may be considered morally acceptable if the intention is to protect oneself or others from imminent harm, even if it results in the bad consequence of the person's death.