作为否定性行动的不作为——“见死不救”现象的一种哲学分析

Omission as Negative Action——A Philosophical Analysis of the Phenomenon of “Doing Nothing to Save Somebody”

一般认为,"见死不救"是不作为。然而,这种理解却不能充分地展现它的内在机制。按照功利主义哲学家边沁对行动的分类,"见死不救"这样一种不作为也可看作为一种特殊的行动。尽管"见死不救"这一现象的发生受特定社会关系和社会心理的影响,是整个社会缺乏信任的一个缩影,但从行动主体的角度来看,未施救事实的发生只有两种可能:其一,能救但没有救;其二,不能救而没有救。"见死不救"行为的特征在于主体"不救意向"和"不救行为"的一致性,这种一致性是它能够被看作行动的一个重要理由。将"见死不救"视为否定性行动是一种更深刻的认知,在一定程度上,它将有助于唤醒人们的主体意识,主动成为道德建设和法治建设的参与者。

It is generally considered that “S did nothing to save P” is some kind of omission.However,this understanding begs the question since it cannot show the mental status of the subject who is doing nothing to somebody.On the perspective of classification of actions proposed by Bentham,“S did nothing to save P” can be recognized as a special kind of action.As the fact that S did nothing to save P ,there are two possible causes:S could save P but did not or S could not save P and did not.The first one is truly “doing nothing to save somebody”.It is a negative action in which the intention of“not to save”and the behavior of subject is consistent.On the one hand,this understanding is more profound which will contribute to the construction of society governed by law and morality.On the other hand,this understanding will help to awake the subjectivity of the people and will make them become participator rather than bystander.