If You Kill Yourself...

[p0lar_bear]

Al,

Yes. the principle of double effect is a very good way to answer this question.

Even with the example of Kolbe, he did not intend his own death. He would not have been disappointed if the Allies liberated the camp before he died. His intent was to prevent the other person from dying by taking his place.

This is not the same thing as, say, a suicide bomber, even if they do not kill anyone else. In this case death is intended. Even if the person believes they are doing it for a good and moral reason, it is still immoral to directly intend ones own death.

The "noble spy" situation is commonly brought up on this question. Can a spy kill himself if he is caught, knowing that the information he carries would help the enemy kill many people? The answer is no, because he directly intends his death.

The principle of double effect maintains that the bad effect (i.e. death) cannot be directly intended, only accepted as a foreseeable consequence.