![]() For here, also, on the whole, in spite of the consciously desired aims of all individuals, accident apparently reigns on the surface. In nature there are only blind, unconscious agencies acting upon one another, In the history of society, on the contrary, the actors are all endowed with consciousness, are men acting with deliberation or passion, working towards definite goals nothing happens without a conscious purpose, without an intended aim. While discerning between the forces that generate changes in nature and those that generate changes in history in his discussion of Ludwig Feuerbach, Friedrich Engels touched on the idea of (apparent) unintended consequences: Influenced by 19th century positivism and Charles Darwin's evolution, for both Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, the idea of uncertainty and chance in social dynamics (and thus unintended consequences beyond results of perfectly defined laws) was only apparent, since social actions were directed and produced by deliberate intention. "The individual undertaker ( entrepreneur), seeking the most efficient allocation of resources, contributes to overall economic efficiency the merchant’s reaction to price signals helps to ensure that the allocation of resources accurately reflects the structure of consumer preferences and the drive to better our condition contributes to economic growth." Marx and Engels The invisible hand theorem is an example of the unintended consequences of agents acting in their self-interest. The idea was also discussed by Adam Smith, the Scottish Enlightenment, and consequentialism (judging by results). The idea of unintended consequences dates back at least to John Locke who discussed the unintended consequences of interest rate regulation in his letter to Sir John Somers, Member of Parliament. Perverse result: A perverse effect contrary to what was originally intended (when an intended solution makes a problem worse). ![]() Unexpected drawback: An unexpected detriment occurring in addition to the desired effect of the policy (e.g., while irrigation schemes provide people with water for agriculture, they can increase waterborne diseases that have devastating health effects, such as schistosomiasis).Unexpected benefit: A positive unexpected benefit (also referred to as luck, serendipity or a windfall).Unintended consequences can be grouped into three types: The term was popularised in the twentieth century by American sociologist Robert K. In the social sciences, unintended consequences (sometimes unanticipated consequences or unforeseen consequences, more colloquially called knock-on effects) are outcomes of a purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen. For the Wikipedia policy about law of unintended consequences, see Wikipedia:Conflict of interest § Law of unintended consequences.Īn erosion gully in Australia caused by rabbits, an unintended consequence of their introduction as game animals So, a different sense from: "Here, have a bite of this foul smelling fruit", or the unexpected outcome of combining strawberries and balsamic vinegar, or strawberries combined with peas."Law of unintended consequences" redirects here. ![]() but then you discover that your favorite band is doing a gig there. Or: you book into an expensive hotel, and figure there will be the usual roll call of luxuries perfectly executed to make your stay a pleasure. ![]() To clarify, I'm referring to the pleasure arising from some unexpected thing, not encountering pleasure contrary to expectations.įor example: you book into a cheap hotel and have low expectations for a good experience (dirty linen, no room service, noise, etc). I thought delight might be it, but the various dictionaries I checked make no mention of the sense of surprise or unexpectedness, defining delight as simply heightened or extreme pleasure. A word for something you didn’t know you’d like ![]()
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