Topic: Unintended Consequences
An unintended consequence is an outcome that was not originally intended by a particular action. While they were not intended, the person doing the action should have foreseen them. Unintended consequences can be positive or negative, and they are often put into three categories: (1) a positive unexpected benefit, (2) a negative expected drawback, or (3) a perverse effect that may be contrary to what was originally intended.
An example of a positive, unexpected benefit is the use of various medicines. Consumers know that there are could be unexpected drawbacks, known as side effects, but there are some side effects which doctors consider beneficial.
An example unexpected drawback is the introduction of exotic animals to an area where they don’t belong, either for decoration or to control unwanted species. An example is the introduction of rabbits to Australia and New Zealand for food turned into an explosion in the rabbit population. Today, rabbits are a huge pest in these countries.
An example of perverse results occurred during Father Matthew’s temperance campaign in 19th century Ireland. Thousands of people who vowed to never drink again eventually began drinking ether – a much more dangerous toxin, by those unwilling to break their vow.
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