Accountability for Actions and Inactions - John Stuart Mill
Created at: January 28, 2025
A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury. — John Stuart Mill
Moral Responsibility
This quote highlights the idea that people bear moral responsibility not only for their direct actions but also for failing to act when action is necessary. Inaction can be as harmful as wrongful deeds.
Harm Principle
John Stuart Mill emphasizes the principle that individuals should not harm others, directly or indirectly, and that choosing not to intervene in the face of harm can make one complicit.
Ethics of Inaction
The statement brings attention to the ethical dilemma of inaction, suggesting that remaining passive in situations where intervention could prevent harm is a moral failure.
Social Accountability
Mill's perspective reflects a call for social accountability, asserting that everyone is responsible for how their actions—or lack thereof—affect others within society.
Philosophical Context
As a leading figure in utilitarian philosophy, Mill often focused on the importance of individual responsibility and the broader impact of personal and collective actions on the well-being of others.