##  [Doctrine of Double Effect](/doctrine-double-effect) 

  ##  [Doctrine of Double Effect](https://health.quantumdictionary.io/doctrine-double-effect-0) 

  

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**Health & Life Sciences Dictionary**

 







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Definition

A moral doctrine that permits an action that has both a good and a harmful effect when the harmful effect is foreseen but not intended, provided four conditions are met: (1) the act itself is morally good or neutral; (2) the agent intends only the good effect; (3) the harmful effect is not the means by which the good effect is achieved; and (4) there is a proportionately serious reason to allow th