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Full Idea
We have an intuition that there is a morally relevant distinction between what we do and what we allow to happen.
Gist of Idea
We see a moral distinction between doing and allowing to happen
Source
Philippa Foot (Morality, Action, and Outcome [1985], p.88)
Book Ref
Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.88
A Reaction
She says many deny this distinction, but she defends it. Presumably consequentialists deny the distinction. What is bad if I do it, but OK if I allow it to happen? Neglecting a victim to save others, she suggests.
Related Ideas
Idea 22466 We see a moral distinction between our aims and their foreseen consequences [Foot]
Idea 22467 Acts and omissions only matter if they concern doing something versus allowing it [Foot]
| 22468 | Virtues can have aims, but good states of affairs are not among them [Foot] |
| 22469 | Some virtues imply rules, and others concern attachment [Foot] |
| 22470 | A good moral system benefits its participants, and so demands reciprocity [Foot] |
| 22465 | We see a moral distinction between doing and allowing to happen [Foot] |
| 22466 | We see a moral distinction between our aims and their foreseen consequences [Foot] |
| 22467 | Acts and omissions only matter if they concern doing something versus allowing it [Foot] |