Direct and indirect: a study in the priciple of double effect in Roman Catholic moral theology

Thesis

The thesis consists of an introduction, five chapters and a conclusion, It attempts to explore the content, scope and significance of the direct-indirect distinction as it has been used in Roman Catholic moral theology. The distinction is viewed in the context of the principle of double effect and against the background of thinking on the human act. The beginnings and evolution of the principle of double effect are the historical framework within which the notions "direct" and "indirect" are considered.

Beginning with Thomas Aquinas's analysis of killing in self-defence (S.T., II-II, q,64, a.7) our investigation explores the discussion of effects that are voluntary in their cause (volunt ariurn in causa) and their identification with effects that are indirectly voluntary (voluntarium indirectum) , This process of assimilation occurred during the 16th and 17th Centuries. Throughout the thesis our primary int erest and model is that of direct and indirect killing.

With the manuals of moral theology - after Alphonsus Liguo ri (d.1787) - the evaluation of indirect effects was discussed under the principle of -double effect. This principle was located in the treatise on the human act, that had recently taken its place among the tracts studying issues in fundamenta l moral theology. In the fourth chapter the refinement of the direct-indirect distinction is explored through a study of per iodical and monograph literature since 1850, Problems with double effect, direct and indirect are discussed by means of our study of such issues as abortion , craniotomy, ectopic pregnancy, hysterectomy together wi th obliteration bombing and other acts causing violent, death.

Chapter 5 traces the thorough going reevaluation of the moral act, double effect and the direct-indirect distinction tl1at has occurred since 1960, The conclusion of the thesis analyzes the influence of the historical context on our understanding of the human act and principle of double effect . This provides the basis of an evaluation of "direct" and "indirect."

Authors: McNamara, L

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-6gyn27yme
• Type of award: MLitt
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford