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What We Don't Do

Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More

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About this listen

When we think about whether we are good people leading a good life, we usually think about actions. Bad people do bad things that hurt others. Good people do good things that help others, and they avoid doing bad things. Simple.

But while our actions certainly have consequences, today our inactions have far greater and far graver consequences. Bad actions can result in the suffering of a few or several dozen others; inaction can result in the extreme misery of thousands.

For nearly our entire history as a species, we lived in small groups with minimal resources, leaving our ability to help others limited. Thanks to massive global populations, huge wealth disparities, and modern technologies, the average person now has more power to improve the lives of others than nearly anyone who has ever lived. But the flip side of that great power is the dizzyingly high cost of inaction, in which lives can hang in the balance with each dollar and hour of time we spend.

This is a book about what we don't do. It's about our failures to act and the suffering others endure as a result. It's also about the incredible good that can be achieved when we cultivate an internal drive to do more.

©2025 Nick Cooney (P)2025 Tantor Media Ethics & Morality Philanthropy & Charity Philosophy Social Sciences
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What We Don’t Do made me reflect on how easy it is to feel like we’re doing good, and how little we notice the good we don’t do. Whether it’s because of apathy, the belief that it’s not our responsibility, or simply because we’ve become so used to seeing suffering that we start to normalize it, Nick Cooney challenges that mindset in a way that’s both eye-opening and motivating.

I especially loved the chapter about the athlete. His metaphor of “athletic ethics”, the drive to achieve, the strength, stamina, and willingness to embrace discomfort, really stuck with me. It’s a powerful parallel for those of us working in organizations trying to reduce suffering. If we truly care about impact, we need to train ourselves with that same discipline and mindset.

A thoughtful read that challenges how we see doing good. This book really stuck with me—motivating and memorable.

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