TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

DOUBLE EFFECT RULE [1 record]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2016-06-21

English

Subject field(s)
  • Ethics and Morals
  • Non-Surgical Treatment
DEF

[A] guideline for determining when it is morally permissible to perform an action to pursue a good end with knowledge that the action will also bring about bad results.

OBS

It generally states that, in cases where a contemplated action has such double effect, the action is permissible only if: it is not wrong in itself; the bad result is not intended; the good result is not a direct causal result of the bad result; and the good result is "proportionate to" the bad result.

Key term(s)
  • principle of double effect
  • rule of double effect

French

Domaine(s)
  • Éthique et Morale
  • Traitements non chirurgicaux
DEF

[Principe selon lequel] on peut accomplir un acte ayant à la fois un bon et un mauvais effet seulement si le bon effet est supérieur au mauvais et si, de surcroît, au moins les conditions suivantes ont été remplies : l'acte en lui-même doit être bon ou moralement neutre, ou tout au moins ne doit pas être interdit; le mauvais effet ne doit pas être un moyen de produire le bon effet, mais doit être simultané ou en résulter; le mauvais effet prévu ne doit pas être intentionnel ou approuvé, mais simplement permis; l'effet positif recherché doit être proportionnel à l'effet indésirable et il n'y a pas d'autre moyen pour l'obtenir.

Spanish

Save record 1

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Display options

Change the order of display of the official languages of Canada
Option to display the non-official languages (Spanish or Portuguese)
Display definitions, contexts, etc., on records

Features

Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: