Too many people get away scot-free by feigning ignorance and completely evading their responsibility by failing to do what they are ethically or morally supposed to.
Not this Scott.
You get it.
Sometimes, it might even make them bigger assholes than people who actually do hurtful things.
"I didn't ask him/her to develop feelings for me ?"
(But there was a lot that could have been said or done to not let these feelings grow/ blossom, especially since , well, you ALWAYS know. There are countless acts that could have been taken to communicate clearly or to stop someone from setting themselves up for the heartache of their lifetime.)
"I wasn't a bad friend? I was just caught up with how busy with life , you know how it is.. that's why I didn't text or didn't call. Not because you're not important."
(There's a fine line btw timeout to tend to adult responsibilities and 6 months to 1 year of cold turkey silence. A phone call , text and plan-making works two ways. . But maybe your friend's prolonged periods of silence could be their loud suffering? Or do you only reach out when you need something from them? )
*Ofc this varies for how close you are to someone and whether or not you're sinking yourself! *
"I didn't flirt with --? This is how I always am with everyone!"
(You already know what you're doing with your body language, lowered or higher tone of voice, stance etc. Sometimes it may happen without you realising cause you may subconsciously find someone attractive but you kinda have to back off when it's off limits I guess ? Because guess what. You're equally guilty if Mr/Mrs off-limits reciprocates! )
"I didn't do anything to make you feel small? I can't help it if being who I am makes you feel dumb?"
(Despite knowing that condescension is a dish served so many ways like tone, words, pace, intentionally discussing something you know your listener has no clue about because you want an 'upper hand' and can provide no valuable input so you can feel like you're real smart)
"I didn't force them, they can always say no?" (While ignoring the practical realities of them not actually being able to decline without looking like an asshole even though they were the person being asked)
"Is there anything else you think I should know about before I do ___...?" (When you know something that they really ought to know before making the decision, but you thought you could get away with " you asked me what I think?")
What would you call it? ...Common decency, Ethics...?
In fact, there's a term for this in criminal law. It's called 'omissions'. It creates an element of blame from the failure to act. Especially when there is a duty to say or do something.
...But you didn't do anything , did you ?