Double effect, doctrine of

The view that there is a morally relevant distinction between the intended consequences of an action and their unintended (even if foreseeable) consequences. This allows greater scope for ethical action for those who posit exceptionless moral principles, but it is rejected by those who judge actions entirely on their consequences. It is a view that it is never acceptable to perform a bad action, even if it produces a good effect. It may, however, sometimes be acceptable to perform a good action, even if it produces a bad effect.