Double Effect Problem Set Homework

Double Effect Problem Set Homework

Your Name

Institution

Case Study 1

Captain should submerge the submarine.

Moral Object

The moral object in this case is submerging a submarine while knowing that a person from a crew is still outside. Although the action will result in the death of that person, but it will save the submarine and the remaining crew.

Intention

The intention of submerging the submarine is good. The captain has sunk the submarine while knowing that there is a person who was not able to come inside. Captain's action will cause the death of that person. The captain does not intend to kill that person, he only intends to save the submarine and all of its crew inside. Captain’s intention is to save the submarine and other crew.

Evil effect

The evil effect is the death of a person who is left behind. This is the side-effect of the captain’s action.

Proportionality

The good gained by the action of the captain is greater. By his action of submerging the submarine, the captain will not only save the lives of other crew member but also a valuable asset of his country. Saving the life of one while compromising the lives of many is not justifiable. The good gained by the action outweighs the evil effect.

Case Study 2

No, in my opinion a researcher shall not administer this kind of drug, because it unethical and unlawful.

Moral object

Moral object in this case is giving a drug to a patient which will eventually results in his death. The act is evil, because it will kill the patient.

Intention

The researcher will give drug to the patient knowing that this drug will kill the patient. The researcher intends to save the humanity by studying the effect of drug and also by perfecting it. Researcher intention is good as she wants to save the humanity.

Evil effect

The evil effect is the death of a patient who will be given a drug. Evil effect is the direct product of researcher’s action and their intentions.

Proportionality

Human life is not a test subject for health science. The action of the researcher is unethical and unlawful. Lab rats can be used for such purposes but not humans. It is common practice to inject rats or other animal with the virus, and various experimental drugs are given to them. The drug is then perfected by analyzing the subject (rat). Furthermore, there is no grantee that the action of researcher will perfect the result and it will eventually save the lives of many. Good gained in this scenario is not obvious, thus it does not overweigh the evil.

Case Study 3

Yes, the doctor should perform hysterectomy. It is assumed that it is a healthy pregnancy, and the child has developed a heartbeat. Baby will die if the hysterectomy is performed.

Moral object

Moral object of this case to perform a hysterectomy procedure to treat mother’s cancer. Although the action will result in the death of the baby. The act is not evil.

Intention

The intention is to treat the uterus cancer of the patient. The intention of health care professional is not to kill the baby.

Evil effect

The evil effect is the death of a baby in result of mother’s treatment.

Proportionality

By performing hysterectomy procedure, the baby will die. If the procedure is not performed and doctors wait for the baby to be viable, there is a chance that cancer will spread which will eventually result in the death of mother. It the priority of the doctor to save the life of the patient no matter what. The good gained in this scenario overweighs the evil effect.