Moral Repair, Uncertainty, and Remote Effects and Causes
Abstract
Critics often note that our choices may support wrongdoing such as by
fostering climate change, perpetuating oppression in the developing world, or
benefiting from the avoidable suffering of nonhuman animals. It is unclear what
sort of reasons these remote consequences present, especially in conditions of
uncertainty. Ethicists commonly warn that ignorance does not necessarily
exculpate or release from compensatory burdens for wrongdoing. Moreover at
least sometimes, the demandingness of justice might not cancel or defeat the
reasons it provides. Sorting out how to forbear or repair injustice (and even
how to begin to do these) may be daunting. After discussing how ignorance of
moral or empirical considerations bears on blame or praise, I explore whether
and how performing or being disposed to provide moral repair might address
the demands of justice in light of uncertain remote causes and consequences. I
reject the claim that morally conscientious persons must always seek to prevent
injustice.