Single Idea 22467

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / b. Double Effect]

Full Idea

The difference between acts and omissions is irrelevant to any moral issue except in so far as it corresponds to the distinction between allowing something to happen and being the agent to whom the happening can be ascribed.

Gist of Idea

Acts and omissions only matter if they concern doing something versus allowing it

Source

Philippa Foot (Morality, Action, and Outcome [1985], p.89)

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.89


A Reaction

The list of anyone's omissions is presumably infinite, but what they 'allow' must be in some way within their power. But what of something I can't now prevent, only because I failed to do some relevant task yesterday?

Related Idea

Idea 22465 We see a moral distinction between doing and allowing to happen [Foot]