Inverse consequences

The term "inverse consequences" has been in use for over 175 years (since at least 1835).

The Philosophy of Manufactures: Or, An Exposition

(on factory systems), Andrew Ure, 1835,

page 434 of 480 pages,

[https://books.google.com/books?id=QNJHx4kfeK8C&dq=%22inverse+consequences%22&pg=PA434 Google Books link]:

states "the influence of which upon them will be manifested

by inverse consequences; the one being in the reverse

predicament of the other."

The term was also used by Auguste Comte (1798–1857) in his book System of Positive Polity (published 1875), stating, "Inevitable increase in Complication, in proportion with the decrease of Generality, gives rise to two inverse consequences."

System of Positive Polity: Social statics

(on positivism), Auguste Comte,

1875, page 376,

[https://books.google.com/books?id=1aIZAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22inverse+consequences%22&pg=PA376 Google Books link]:

states "inevitable increase in Complication in proportion

with the decrease of Generality, gives rise to two inverse

consequences."

The term "inverse consequences" has been applied in numerous situations, for example:

• In treatment of drug addiction, medications intended to reduce one type of addiction might trigger another addiction: long-term treatment with opiate medications (such as morphine) has inverse consequences.

"Neuron : Experimental Genetic Approaches to Addiction",

A. Laakso, 2002, webpage:

{{doi|10.1016/S0896-6273(02)00972-8}}:

states "exposure to psychostimulants such as cocaine leads

to sensitized response; long-term treatment with opiates

(such as morphine) also has inverse consequences".

• In management of work tasks, a total sequential execution, of work tasks, has inverse consequences, such as a decrease of the workload with an increase of the lead time.

"Managing and Organizing the Cooperation in Design Processes"

M. David, PDF file:

[ftp://ftp-sop.inria.fr/acacia/COOP2004/soumissions/coop2004-M.David-16.pdf Inria-fr-COOP2004-PDF]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}.

• In asset management, plans for portfolio management might have inverse consequences to the potential benefits.

"The Infinite Asset: Managing Brands to Build New Value"

(on business & economics), Sam Hill, Chris Lederer,

2001, 238 pages,

[https://books.google.com/books?id=GfATlBeyKxAC&dq=%22inverse+consequences%22&pg=PA177 Google Books link]:

states "...managers must understand and anticipate

inverse consequences every bit as much as they preach

the potential benefits of their action plans."

The concept of "inverse consequences" has a corollary in other phrases, as well:

• "the plan backfired" - meaning the opposite result occurred, as in a gun firing backward, rather than forward.

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• Invasive species
• Regression testing

{{Reflist}}

• Andrew Ure, The Philosophy of Manufactures: Or, An Exposition (on factory systems), 1835, page 434 of 480 pages, Google Books link: [https://books.google.com/books?id=QNJHx4kfeK8C&dq=%22inverse+consequences%22&pg=PA434 Google Books link]:

{{unintended consequences}}

Category:Adages

Category:Complex systems theory

Category:Logic

Category:Risk analysis

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