<p>I think there’s a semantic error in the idea that calling an action a mistake implies a lack of intent. ellemenope already quoted the dictionary in refutation of this (i.e. “faulty judgment”). Saying that something was a mistake pretty clearly implies that you did not intend or expect the results of the action, or else that you failed to appreciate their seriousness. But saying “it was a mistake” is not necessarily equivalent to “I didn’t mean to do it.” It can also mean “I would not have done it if I had foreseen the consequences more clearly.”</p>
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<p>I think this refers more to factual mistakes, like misdiagnosing what’s wrong with your car. It’s more an error. Doctors can make mistakes in diagnosing a patient due to cognitive error (inattention), false positives(inadequate knowledge), etc. But when it comes to unethical or immoral actions, however you define those, “mistake” is not what I would call it.</p>