Discussion Points - Telos & Double Effect Doctrine
Religious Studies: OCR A Level, topic 2.1.5
Debates about Telos and the Doctrine of Double Effect
Can we measure how right/wrong or good/bad something is based on its success in meeting its telos? Does the universe have a telos? Can the doctrine of double effect actually justify any actions?
Wrong actions by natural law
- Natural law implies that the purpose of sexual intercourse is reproduction.
- So artificial contraception, masturbation and homosexual sexual activity are considered to be wrong because they do not allow for the production of new life.
Catholic & counter-arguments
- Although the Catholic Church supports this view, many people challenge it today.
- Sexual relationships are viewed beyond the physical, which natural law does not acknowledge.
- The telos of sexual activity could be unity or strengthening of a relationship and this could happen between unmarried couples and homosexual couples.
Does the universe have a telos?
- Some argue the universe does not have a telos.
- If someone does not accept that the world was created by God, then its creation and the universe is random and changeable.
- Concepts that were once considered “natural” are then challenged.
- The primary precept of reproduction entirely assumes that the female purpose is to have children. Many people would consider this notion to be old-fashioned and challenges the idea that there is one single pre-established end.
Can the doctrine justify acts?
- The doctrine of double effect allows for some flexibility in natural law when the moral problem seems impossible.
- Aquinas uses the example of self-defence to illustrate his point.
- If we are being attacked, we may use proportionate force to save ourselves. If this results in the death of our attacker, this is lawful as long as we used proportionate force and our intention was to save our own life.
Issue with doctrine: motives
- Aquinas is concerned with motives. Herein lies the problem. We cannot know someone’s true motives.
- They may say they acted to save their life, but how can we really know? This then opens the door to the doctrine being abused when the agent says they acted with good motives when really they did not.
Test yourself on Discussion Points - Telos & Double Effect Doctrine
Which of these is NOT considered wrong under natural law?
What analogy does Aquinas use to show that the doctrine of double effect can justify actions?