IN DEEPEST CONSEQUENCE: What Makes Effects Moral

It is often argued that Utilitarianism is impractical because our actions have extremely complex and far-reaching sets of effects, thus making moral calculation impossible. My response to this criticism uncovers a rôle for the knowledge and intentions of the individual moral agent which goes some way towards answering the complaint that Utilitarianism makes too little allowance for such factors. I look at the notions of causation and of intentions and motives, and draw a distinction between the moral and non-moral outcomes of actions, which I dub consequences and repercussions. This leads to the conclusion that the degree to which an agent is morally responsible for the effects of her actions depends broadly upon three factors: her intentions, her knowledge, and the care she takes in relation to her situation and to the context of her actions