The book consists of a short introduction to the significance of unintended consequences and four chapters. The first chapter develops a typology of unintended consequences and distinguishes them from historical contingencies. The second chapter analyzes three types of causes of such consequences: worldly, practical and psychological causes. The third explores the significant problems these consequences pose for standard moral theories. The fourth and final chapter examines how we might begin both to think about and cope with unintended consequences in an ethically good way.
Featuring a comprehensive approach to the subject of unintended consequences, this book focuses on the inherent unpredictability of human action as a major cause of such consequences. It explores methods and structures to help us identify possible unintended consequences before we act and to enable us to better cope with them as they arise.
