Double Effect

(Originally written May 3, 2007 in Book 25)

Class Notes

God is pure actuality. There are no privations in his actions. An action is good or bad based on the four causes of actions. All four causes contributes to status of an action.

Actions

Object - formal cause
Circumstances - Material Cause
Purpose/Goal - Final Cause
Intention - Efficient Cause

Intention is a mental act. Purpose is a physical outcome.

The Double Effect Theory

Double Effect:
- not the ends justify themes
- not evil subsequent to the good

It is unavoidable second effect stemming from the same cause

Key note: Cause and Effect are not separate instances. They are one event.

Causality is normally defined as "event a causes event b".

Hume criticizes causality because you never see the causation. This is true, but meaningless.

Causation is rightly defined as an actualization of a potential.

Double effect is two effects at the same time.

The crucial difference between double effect and consequentialist theories is that Aquinas holds that one should never do evil to bring what good whereas consequentialist theories come only to bring about good consequences regardless of the action.

Question: Why does God permit evil in the world?
Answer: Double Effect

God -> Creation -> The Best
(Double Effect) Evil

This theory does not put evil in a positive light. It keeps evil as bad, not a disguised good.