Sins of Omission Vs Comission - Special Sklansky Forum -- Two Plus Two Poker Forums

**David Sklansky** · 01-01-2007, 08:47 PM

Sure seems like the line between them is fuzzy. For instance:

You are in a pharmacy buying the last package of XYZ for an annoying rash. As you are leaving the store, you hear a news report that paramedics are rushing someone to the pharmacy because it is known to be one of the few places where XYZ is available and he will die if he doesn't get some within the hour.

Is it a sin of commission if you walk to your car with XYZ instead of turning around to return it?

If it is, what about if you had already reached home ten miles away?

If you consider the first scenario not a sin of commission, what about if you are pulling into the parking lot with the intention of buying XYZ, (when you here the news) but have not yet done so. If you still buy, what's that?

Still not a sin of commission? What if you are miles away from the pharmacy and upon hearing of the situation you increase speed hoping to get there before the ambulance gets there or notifies them?

BluffTHIS! · 01-01-2007, 08:54 PM

Only the 2nd case where you are already home is omission, and the rest are comission, because you are either on the spot or trying to buy before they get there knowing they are coming and need it worse. And you are guilty either way and which it is only matters in assigning the degree of guilt in a situation where you can be punished and there is a sliding scale for determining same.

Dot_the_Bot · 01-01-2007, 09:31 PM

I think the line only seems fuzzy if you are attempting to ascribe one as "right" and one as "wrong". Both are wrong. In one you are acting in the wrong, the other you are wrong in not taking action.

RJT · 01-01-2007, 09:32 PM

Didn’t Seinfeld cover this with his character Elaine and the birth control sponge?

I’ll go with Bluff’s answer. BTW, one is schmuck in all the scenarios listed. Fwiw, guilty either way in our Religion (one doesn't have to be a Jew to be a schmuck, right?)

chezlaw · 01-01-2007, 10:04 PM

Sin of commission if at the time of sin the harm wouldn't happen if you didn't exist.

Sin of ommission if the harm would happen even if you didn't exist.

Quote:

You are in a pharmacy buying the last package of XYZ for an annoying rash. As you are leaving the store, you hear a news report that paramedics are rushing someone to the pharmacy because it is known to be one of the few places where XYZ is available and he will die if he doesn't get some within the hour.

Sin of ommission.

Quote:

If you consider the first scenario not a sin of commission, what about if you are pulling into the parking lot with the intention of buying XYZ, (when you here the news) but have not yet done so. If you still buy, what's that?

Sin of commission

Quote:

Still not a sin of commission? What if you are miles away from the pharmacy and upon hearing of the situation you increase speed hoping to get there before the ambulance gets there or notifies them?

sin of comission

chez

bearly · 01-01-2007, 10:15 PM

david, i believe the fuzziness has evolved over centuries because it is the natural product of the efforts of millions of priests to convince the young, up-and-coming parishioners that they may be certain they ought not to commit either.........................b

gull · 01-01-2007, 10:16 PM

Your example is awful.

I think sins of ommissions are equivalent to sins of commission.

**David Sklansky** · 01-01-2007, 10:27 PM

Fine. But you have just made my point.

Al68 · 01-01-2007, 11:03 PM

They are all sins, just not of an equal degree.

Just like both murder is a sin and not honoring your father are both sins.

Of course whether or not society should use force against the sinner after the fact is another matter. Then it is important whether it was ommision or commision instead of whether or not it was a sin.

chezlaw · 01-01-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Fine. But you have just made my point.

Glad to hear it. Which point?

chez

mscags · 01-02-2007, 04:44 AM

Is stealing a pencil any better than stealing a car?

Al68 · 01-03-2007, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Is stealing a pencil any better than stealing a car?

Yes.

Not really the point of the thread, but of course stealing a car is worse than stealing a pencil. Just like hitting an old lady twice is worse than hitting her once. And killing her is worse yet. All wrong, but to a different degree.

Darryl_P · 01-03-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Sure seems like the line between them is fuzzy.

Not fuzzy at all. It switches over at the instant the product becomes yours. That instant is the instant you perform the last act required to make it yours which, in this case, is releasing the cash from your hands as you give it to the clerk or pressing the enter button the keypad for your cash card.

If you are aware of the situation before that instant, it's a sin of commission. Otherwise, it's a sin of omission.

Black and white.

Matt Ruff · 01-03-2007, 10:46 AM

Ah, but what if you buy it on credit?

w_alloy · 01-03-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Your example is awful.

I think sins of ommissions are equivalent to sins of commission.

Same, except of course also taking into effect your loss of utility and the potential change you could cause.

andyfox · 01-03-2007, 03:29 PM

In a prior discussion of s.o.o vs. s.o.c., I recommended 2+2ers see the movies Collateral and The Third Man for consideration of just such issues. The current movie Blood Diamond is also relevant I think. At the end of the movie, there is copy to the effect that it is up to each consumer to determine whether the diamond he/she is purchasing is "conflict free." I know a very successful jeweler who had admitted to me that it is virtually impossible to make such a determination.