Janet was relying on information provided to her. If Janet can provide the source she was relying on, then that source may be responsible, especially if they are commonly relied on for accuracy in the subject matter. But most publications usually have legal disclaimers saying they are not responsible if their data is inaccurate. Even though they may not be legally responsible, I would hold them morally responsible.
Even if Janet was lying about the jellyfish (which would make her morally responsible), friend is responsible for their own choices and they are responsible for knowing the risks by consulting reliable sources directly, when she consulted Janet she was relying on a second hand source, and since the scenario does not name the source we do not know if that was reliable. Obviously friend trusted Janet's second hand knowledge, but that trust does not mean they abdicate their own personal responsibility.
Now, if Janet had pushed friend into the jellyfish infested waters, then she would be responsible.
Will Janet feel guilty? Probably, at least initially, her friend died trusting her knowledge. After some therapy maybe she will learn to transfer that blame to the source she relied on. Will Janet ever trust the source of her information again? Hopefully not. People should not believe everything they read, but cross-reference it with other data before making life or death choices.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-Feb-01, Tuesday 08:30 pm (UTC)Janet was relying on information provided to her. If Janet can provide the source she was relying on, then that source may be responsible, especially if they are commonly relied on for accuracy in the subject matter. But most publications usually have legal disclaimers saying they are not responsible if their data is inaccurate. Even though they may not be legally responsible, I would hold them morally responsible.
Even if Janet was lying about the jellyfish (which would make her morally responsible), friend is responsible for their own choices and they are responsible for knowing the risks by consulting reliable sources directly, when she consulted Janet she was relying on a second hand source, and since the scenario does not name the source we do not know if that was reliable. Obviously friend trusted Janet's second hand knowledge, but that trust does not mean they abdicate their own personal responsibility.
Now, if Janet had pushed friend into the jellyfish infested waters, then she would be responsible.
Will Janet feel guilty? Probably, at least initially, her friend died trusting her knowledge. After some therapy maybe she will learn to transfer that blame to the source she relied on. Will Janet ever trust the source of her information again? Hopefully not. People should not believe everything they read, but cross-reference it with other data before making life or death choices.
That's my opinion. :o)