Clyde G. is a respected thinker and Neo-Buddhist who has been acknowledged for his ability to ask questions going to the heart of issues regarding metaphysical models of reality.
Dan;
If all the assertions above are true AND IF, as you have suggested, “one is responsible for the actions one does not take”, then one is responsible for an infinite number of non-actions; each non-action has a unique set of eternal consequences; some sets of consequences will be more desirable (however defined) and others sets of consequences will be less desirable; that set of consequences for any particular action is beyond our ability to completely know or even imagine; so, we will not know with certainty if the set of consequences for any particular action is best, or more or less desirable.
How would your suggestion that “one is responsible for the actions one does not take”, given the above conclusion, effect your decision making? To me (you may feel differently) it seems that such a consideration might cause me permanent indecision or, more likely, to ignore that suggestion and choose.
And please note, I have already stated that one must consider some of the potential actions and their consequences in order to minimize suffering as best one is able in the moment. This means that one applies the understanding and empathy one currently has to determine the best action, knowing that one cannot know ALL the potential actions and ALL their consequences, and that one’s understanding and empathy is in constant development.
clyde