Question

The leader of a nation engaged in war orders the execution of all inmates of mental institutions and old- age homes, in order to devote full manpower and resources to the quicker termination of the war. Is this order morally justified? Write Yes or No and justify your answer.

Answer 1

NO

The action is not morally good or even indifferent. This action is a murder, which is an evil practice in which good effect would come through the evil effect. The killing of innocent civilians cannot be justifiable.

According to the doctorine of double effect, "Some times it is permissible to cause a harm as a side 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". This doctorine has a wide application in modern medicine and it comes in to play in situation where an agent has the option of performing an act with both good and bad consequences.

Here in this case evil effect outweighs good effect