Ripple Effect Argument
The Ripple Effect Argument grounds moral seriousness in causal realism.
TL;DR
Small acts compound across networks and epochs; therefore ethics must model second- and third-order consequences.
Small acts compound across networks and epochs; therefore ethics must model second- and third-order consequences.
Formal Outline
- Every action propagates beyond its immediate context.
- Propagation can amplify harm or good.
- Therefore ethical reasoning must include downstream effects.
Use Cases
- Policy design (externalities).
- AI alignment (reward shaping).
- Personal growth (habits as micro-architects of futures).
Haimesian System2025Q4Library