Principle of Double Effect

A modification of Principle of Nonmaleficence applied to cases where an outcome has both a good effect and bad effect.

Criteria

For a situation to fall under the principle of double effect:

1. The act must not be intrinsically wrong
2. The agent intends only for the good effect, even if the bad effect is foreseen
3. The bad effect is not a Means of the good effect
4. The good effect must outweigh the bad effect