Intention matters
An accidental injury is not normally judged like a deliberate attack. Buddhist ethics gives intention a prominent role, while the Zoroastrian formula of good thoughts, good words and good deeds joins mental orientation with outward conduct.
Good intentions are not enough
People and institutions often cause harm while claiming benevolent motives. Responsibility includes examining evidence, anticipating predictable effects and correcting conduct when damage becomes apparent.
Consequences matter
Ethical judgment should ask who benefited, who was harmed, how serious and lasting the effects were and whether safer alternatives existed. Effects on trust, institutions, animals and future people also count.
Consequences are not enough
A careful decision may produce a bad result, while reckless conduct may succeed through luck. Aggregate benefit also cannot automatically cancel individual rights or justify using an innocent person as a means.
Rules and character
Rules against murder, theft and false testimony establish boundaries. Stoic and Confucian virtues cultivate wisdom, justice, courage, temperance, humaneness and trustworthiness. Yet rules can conflict and virtues can serve harmful causes when detached from evidence and justice.
A combined assessment
Truth By Reason asks what was intended, what was known, which rights or duties were involved, what consequences were foreseeable, what alternatives existed and what pattern of character the action expressed.