The Ripple Effect Argument: Why Small Evils and Small Goods Matter More Than We Think
The Ripple Effect Argument: Why Small Evils and Small Goods Matter More Than We Think
by Michael Haimes
Thesis:
No action is insignificant. Every choice, no matter how small, has the potential for unseen ripple effects—either positive or catastrophic. Because we cannot predict the full consequences of our actions, we have a moral responsibility to avoid even minor evils and embrace even the smallest acts of good.
Premises & Supporting Evidence
1. The Butterfly Effect: Small Actions Have Exponential Consequences
Chaos theory and psychology confirm that tiny initial conditions can create vastly different outcomes.
Example: The 2008 Financial Crisis
It wasn’t caused by one massive event but thousands of seemingly minor moral failings—predatory lending, ignored warnings, and careless risk-taking by individuals and corporations.
Each person involved made decisions that seemed insignificant at the time, but together, they led to a global economic meltdown.
2. Moral Risk: The Ethical Precautionary Principle
Since the full consequences of an action are often unknowable, we must err on the side of caution by minimizing harm and maximizing good.
Philosophical Support:
Immanuel Kant (Categorical Imperative): If small evils were universally accepted, society would collapse.
John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism): Minor acts of harm or kindness can have outsized impacts on collective well-being.
Example: The Rudeness Study (University of Florida, 2016)
People who experienced rudeness at work were far more likely to be rude to others, creating a chain reaction of negativity.
This shows that even one dismissive remark can poison an entire workplace culture.
3. Social Justice: Systemic Injustices Begin with Small Acts of Neglect
Small injustices compound over time, leading to systemic oppression and inequality.
Example: Racial Redlining (20th Century USA)
Banks initially denied home loans to Black families in small cases of economic discrimination.
These “small” denials accumulated, resulting in entire generations of racial wealth gaps.
Today, Black families still face lower homeownership rates due to these minor acts of systemic bias.
Hannah Arendt’s "Banality of Evil"
The Holocaust did not start with death camps—it began with ordinary people following minor bureaucratic orders (e.g., requiring Jews to register their status).
Small administrative actions, repeated on a large scale, led to genocide.
4. Personal Impact: The Power of Small Kindnesses
If small evils can cause massive harm, then small goods can create massive benefit.
Example: Kevin Hines & Suicide Prevention
Kevin Hines, who survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge, said:
"If just one person had smiled at me that day, I wouldn’t have jumped."A single small act—a stranger’s kindness—could have changed the course of his life.
Example: The “Pay-It-Forward” Effect
Studies show that acts of kindness spread rapidly. If one person buys coffee for a stranger, it often sets off a chain reaction of goodwill throughout the day.
5. Kierkegaard’s Existential Ethics: Every Choice Shapes Who You Become
Søren Kierkegaard argued that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the development of one’s moral character.
You are what you repeatedly do.
Example: The Stanford Prison Experiment
In a simulated prison, students gradually became more abusive toward prisoners—not because they were evil, but because they made small unethical choices that escalated over time.
This proves that tiny moral compromises accumulate into full-scale moral decay.
Objections & Counterarguments
"We can’t control everything."
True, but this argument is about intentionality—not controlling the universe, but minimizing harm where possible.
"Overburdening people with moral responsibility."
The argument does not demand perfection—just thoughtfulness in everyday choices.
"Some evils are necessary."
Even in cases where harm is unavoidable, the manner in which we act still matters.
Example: If someone must be fired, it should be done with fairness and dignity.
Conclusion: The Moral Imperative of Thoughtful Action
Every action carries moral weight—no matter how small.
Systemic evil begins with small moral compromises—ignoring them leads to devastating consequences.
Small acts of kindness are just as powerful—and have the potential to transform lives and societies.
Since we cannot predict the full impact of our actions, the most ethical path is to consistently avoid harm and pursue kindness, knowing that even the smallest choices may shape the world in ways we cannot yet see.
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