Moral luck is a cognitive bias where individuals unfairly judge the moral value of an action based on its outcome rather than the intent behind it. This bias challenges the traditional notion of morality, which usually aims to assess actions based solely on the agent's intentions and ethical principles.
Moral luck occurs when external factors beyond an individual's control affect the moral judgement of their actions. If two people perform the same action with the same intent, but differing outcomes due to circumstances outside their control, moral luck leads to them being judged differently. The essence of this bias lies in the human tendency to draw meaning from actions based on their results, projecting these interpretations both retrospectively and prospectively.
Moral luck can lead to unfair assessments and accountability, skewing justice systems, workplace evaluations, and personal relationships. It introduces inconsistencies in moral and legal judgments, potentially punishing people disproportionately or absolving them based on outcomes rather than intention or effort.
Counteracting moral luck involves fostering awareness of the bias and applying principles of accountability that focus on intent and process rather than outcome. Training in ethical decision-making can help distinguish intention from result. Encouraging critical thinking and reflective practices also aids in resisting this bias.
Critics argue that fully eliminating moral luck from moral judgments undermines accountability for results and may lead to moral permissiveness. They also point out that consequences are an inherent part of moral consideration in the real world. Furthermore, some philosophers suggest that outcomes matter significantly in developing ethical and legal frameworks.
Moral luck and the law
Dana K. Nelkin (2008)
Philosophy Compass
On luck and responsibility
Bernard Williams (1981)
Philosophical Papers 1971–1980
Moral luck: A partial map
Thomas Nagel (1979)
Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Supplementary Volumes