Vihvelin, K., & Tomkow, T. (2005). The DIF. Journal of Philosophy, 102(4), 183–205. https://doi.org/10.5840/jphil2005102420
Our topic is the difference variously labeled as that between, on the one hand, “doing” or “causing” or “making” something happen and, on the other, “allowing” or “letting” it happen. The reality and importance of this difference—which we will refer to as the Dif—are recognized in law and morality, it being nearly universally acknowledged that causing harm is ceteris paribus worse than allowing harm. Nevertheless, philosophers have found the analysis of the difference elusive and the ensuing controversy has led many to skepticism about the coherence of the distinction and/or its moral significance.
Our goal here is to say “What’s the Dif?”
Vihvelin, K., & Tomkow, T. (2005). The DIF. Journal of Philosophy, 102(4), 183–205. https://doi.org/10.5840/jphil2005102420
