Self-Quiz 4.14: Philippa Foot, Abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect

The Doctrine of Double Effect is based on a distinction between

doing something and allowing something.

foreseeing something and intending something.

killing and letting die.

positive and negative rights.

In the trolley case that Foot considers, she claims that one

is obligated not to turn the trolley, even though this would save more people.

is permitted, but not obligated, to refrain from turning the trolley.

is obligated turn the trolley to save more lives.

None of the above

Under what conditions does someone not strictly intend a foreseen consequence of her voluntary action?

When she believes that the consequence is morally objectionable

When she does not desire the consequence

When the consequence is neither the end at which she aims nor the means to the end at which she aims

All of the above

According to Foot, abortion is morally permissible at least when the abortion

will save the life of the mother and the child will die regardless.

will save the life of the mother.

is done very early in the pregnancy.

Both a and b

What are the two senses of allowing discussed by Foot?

giving permission to and forbearing to prevent

giving permission to and acting to enable

forbearing to prevent and acting to enable

None of the above

What is Foot's view of the Doctrine of Double Effect?

It is not worth taking seriously.

It is worth taking seriously, but it is mistaken.

It is correct.

Foot does not commit herself to a view on whether the Doctrine of Double Effect is true.

What distinction does Foot think is essential to providing the correct account of the cases she discusses?

Intending versus foreseeing

Knowing versus believing

Positive versus negative rights

Moral versus legal rights

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