Should inaction be considered as an action in any case?

[sinnerdexter]

For cases like euthanasia, in some countries, the moral code is that doctors is not allowed to actively do anything to kill the patients. So they will not feed the patients who are in coma/vegetable state so as to let them starve to death, thus an inaction which is considered morally acceptable.

So should inaction be considered as action in all cases or only in some cases and why?

 

[Dameedna]

Good question.

In reality, human beings have gotten very clever with our technology to allow some-one to remain breathing, when they should actually have already passed away.

Inaction, within the current technological world, is the only response to allowing a person who is already dead, to actually die. Is inaction an action? If it is deliberate, then of course yes, it is an action in and of itself…

It’s up to you to decide wether or not, this is a good or a bad thing.

 

[inocente]

The standard medical oath contains words on the lines “I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.”

So to the doctor this is not inaction – she knows all too well she is accountable to her patient for ending their life.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

41* Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,

Matthew 25:41-42

This would worry me if I withheld food or fluids from someone.

 

[Katholish]

Deciding not to act is itself an action. Insofar as it is an act of the will, it can be immoral, as it would be in this case… grossly immoral.

 

[inocente]

Deciding not to act is itself an action. Insofar as it is an act of the will, it can be immoral, as it would be in this case… grossly immoral.

Assume the doctor knows the brain is completely inactive, the patient had previously signed a living will, the relatives want the patient to die with dignity, the high cost of keeping the patient’s body alive continuously takes money away from helping others, and the country where this is taking place has soldiers and armed cops who can legally kill in defined circumstances. Assume further, if you like, that the country has such dubious morals as to allow all citizens to bear arms.

No room here at all for the doctor showing mercy and pulling the plug?

 

[elts1956]

For cases like euthanasia, in some countries, the moral code is that doctors is not allowed to actively do anything to kill the patients. So they will not feed the patients who are in coma/vegetable state so as to let them starve to death, thus an inaction which is considered morally acceptable.

So should inaction be considered as action in all cases or only in some cases and why?

According to Church law food and fluids must be given. Check the case of Terry Schievo.

 

[John21652]

Deciding not to act is itself an action. Insofar as it is an act of the will, it can be immoral, as it would be in this case… grossly immoral.

Very true. A concious decision to not do something is a positive action in itself. Inaction through ignorance, or incapacity, is another matter, for they are involuntary inactions. This inaction, however, is voluntary and deliberate, with the agent being aware and is therefore a positive action. Intentional behaviour can be judged as moral, or immoral. If the inaction is designed to bring about death, then it is immoral and should properly be called murder. We call it passive euthanasia and those involved are as guilty as those who deliberately make an action which kills someone. Just because there is a positive law in place doesn’t take away the moral culpability of the person causing the death. The legal responsibility might be assuaged, depending on how the law is framed, but not the moral culpability.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I confess to almighty God,and to you, my brothers and sisters,that** I have sinned through my own fault,in my thoughts and in my words,in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do;**and I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin,all the angels and saints,and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for meto the Lord our God.