Laisser mourir et faire mourir ; réflexions à partir du débat éthique aux États-Unis et de la psychologie morale expérimentale

The aim of this paper is to examine the notion of passive euthanasia and the distinction between killing and letting die, through the literature in moral philosophy and current research in experimental psychology. The roles of intent, causality and responsibility are analyzed. Special emphasis is placed on the fragility of our moral intuitions and on the role of the frame effects. This highlights the differences in representations between the public and health professionals about end of life decisions and, therefore, the conditions of the actual controversy in France.