doctrine of double effect

"sometimes it is permissible to cause a harm as an unintended and merely foreseen *side effect* (or 'double effect') of bringing about a good result even though it would not be permissible to cause such a harm as a *means* to bringing about the same good end." Priority request.

Example from Thomas Aquinas: Killing one’s assailant is justified, provided one does not intend to kill him.

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