How is "intent" generally defined in tort law?

In tort law, "intent" is primarily defined as the conscious desire to bring about a specific consequence. This means that for a plaintiff to establish that a defendant acted with intent, it must be shown that the defendant had a purpose or goal of causing the particular harm that resulted from their actions. This definition emphasizes a deliberate decision to act in a way that leads to a harmful outcome, distinguishing it from mere negligence or recklessness, which do not require the same level of purposeful action.

The other options do not accurately capture this definition of intent. For example, the idea of wanting to avoid harmful outcomes suggests a more passive approach and does not imply the active decision-making that intent entails. Knowledge that a consequence is unlikely to occur is unrelated to intent, as intent involves a focused aim rather than an acknowledgment of improbability. Furthermore, the understanding of one’s own actions does not necessarily correlate with intent; one could understand their actions without intending a specific outcome. Therefore, "the intent to bring about a specific consequence" accurately reflects the legal standard for intent in tort law.