Killing, letting die, and withdrawing aid

Article Abstract:

Cases involving the withdrawal of life-supporting assistance lie along a continuum between killing and letting die. The distinction depends on factors such as whether the original aid was provided by the agent who withdraws it, whether the protection is self-sustaining or requires further effort by the agent to maintain it and whether or not the aid is in effect before it is withdrawn. Concern over the distinction between killing and letting die appears to reflect an aversion to being causally responsible for an innocent person's death, although its moral significance may be outweighed by other factors.

Analysis, Ethical aspects, Homicide, Ethical problems, Assistance in emergencies, Emergency assistance

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Paradoxes of abortion and prenatal injury

Article Abstract:

A case is presented which signifies that it is more difficult to justify infliction of major prenatal injury than to justify abortion, arguing that it does not mean that abortion is an acceptable remedy for prenatal injury. If legislation distinguishes morally between lethal and nonlethal prenatal injury it establishes bad incentives, but if it does not, and treats killing of fetus as a crime on par with injuring it, it poses threat to abortion rights by giving fetus a higher moral status than it actually has.

United States, Legal issues & crime, Government regulation (cont), Government regulation, Legal/Government Regulation, Laws, regulations and rules, Abortion, Fetal rights, Reproductive rights

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A challenge to common sense morality

Article Abstract:

Jonathan Bennett's book entitled 'The Act Itself' examines morality-related issues, particularly the ethical differences between making things happen and letting them happen. Bennett argued that human conduct can be positively relevant or negatively relevant to the occurrence of a result. He also criticized the traditional belief regarding the existence of a moral objection towards the achievement of a positive goal by letting a bad effect occur or making it occur.

Criticism and interpretation, Ethics, Bibliography, The Act Itself (Book), Bennett, Jonathan

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