Where do you draw the line between a failure to act and the malice required to call something "murder"? Obviously saying "It's manslaughter!" or "It's an unfortunate death!" doesn't have the same punch to it, but ...
I have two working kidneys, and could probably save some stranger's life by donating one. Is it murder that I have not chosen to do so?
At less personal cost, I could still probably be employed developing medical devices, which would probably save lives. Is it wrong for me to be trying to help educate people instead (occasionally volunteering).
Or, alternately, you're credentialed to work as a pharmacist, which could easily save someone's life. It'd even pay better.
If it's not a matter of personal responsibility, is it the state's fault for not forcing us to work in these roles?
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chiming
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Date: 2011-02-09 07:13 pm (UTC)From:I have two working kidneys, and could probably save some stranger's life by donating one. Is it murder that I have not chosen to do so?
At less personal cost, I could still probably be employed developing medical devices, which would probably save lives. Is it wrong for me to be trying to help educate people instead (occasionally volunteering).
Or, alternately, you're credentialed to work as a pharmacist, which could easily save someone's life. It'd even pay better.
If it's not a matter of personal responsibility, is it the state's fault for not forcing us to work in these roles?