Question

Rachels argues that it is incorrect to claim that a doctor who allows his patient to die truly “does nothing” to cause the death of his patient. Describe in your own words another case in which an agent who refrains from a certain type action would not correctly be described as having “done nothing.” Explain why it would be wrong to ascribe inaction rather than action to the agent in this case.

Answer 1

For example, a teacher who refrains from seating a child with a learning disability in a class which can induce stress and work overload has done what is ethically and educationally right in the situation. However,the fact that she refrains him from doing so does not mean 'doing nothing' as it helps you to prevent potential stress and ineffective cooing of the child. The child may be referred to a class for children with special needs in order help him learn but the fact that he was not put in the initial class is not inaction, but an action that prevents something although it can be viewed as an inaction from an external perspective.