a moral difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a moral difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or decision that presents ethical challenges or dilemmas. Example: "The committee faced a moral difficulty when deciding whether to approve the controversial project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In-vitro fertilisation presents a moral difficulty for Catholics and evangelicals who believe that life begins at conception.

The Economist

Prichard, by contrast, thinks of this as incoherent, and opts instead for the view that, expressed in terms of 'ought' maintains that, faced with a moral difficulty, there will be different actions each of which in some respect I ought to do (this is the prima facie ought) and of those one will be the action which I most ought to do, my duty proper.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But Nabokov presents a peculiar moral difficulty.

The New Yorker

One of the primary characteristics of fundamentalism is the use of confirmation bias, but this merely speaks to a deeper issue that is part and parcel of living in a complex world, which directly relates to questions pertaining to truth claims and moral difficulty.

Huffington Post

It is Joe Lockman who is the cause of the first moral difficulty the Utopians find themselves in.

The New Yorker

That familiar and insoluble knot of moral difficulty is infinitely complicated by the fact that I'm sharing it with a child.

The New York Times - Magazine

Out of the courtroom into World War II, Turow renders the agony of combat and the moral difficulty of state violence.

The New York Times

He draws comparisons with the Japanese-Americans who were interned after 1941, and wonders whether Mexico "wants to stir the fires of jingoism during a war".The Americans note that Mr Fox, for all his political posturing and his genuine moral difficulties (as a firm Catholic, he can hardly ignore what the pope is saying about war and peace), has always left himself some wriggle-room.

The Economist

While a fair portion of the original was spent setting up the moral difficulties of competing in a winner-takes-all bloodbath, as the bodycount here grows, the minds of the participants are only on tactics.

The Guardian - Film

Those lucky enough to survive these migrations faced months and years in limbo as the authorities wrestled with the logistical, political and moral difficulties involved in returning them home — or in finding them a new one.

The New York Times - Books

But there were practical and moral difficulties.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a moral difficulty" when you want to highlight the ethical complexities and challenges inherent in a specific situation or decision. It's especially useful when discussing topics where deeply held values are in conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "a moral difficulty" when the challenge is primarily practical or logistical, rather than ethical. For instance, managing a budget shortfall is a practical difficulty, while deciding whether to lay off employees to save the company presents "a moral difficulty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a moral difficulty" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of problem related to ethics and moral principles. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a moral difficulty" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that refers to situations presenting ethical challenges or dilemmas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for discussing scenarios where careful consideration of moral values is required. While "a moral difficulty" is not extremely common, it appears in a variety of reliable sources, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context genuinely involves an ethical dilemma rather than merely a practical problem. Alternatives like "an ethical challenge" or "a moral quandary" can be used to add nuance or specificity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ethical challenge

Focuses on the ethical aspect of the difficulty, rather than specifically labeling it as "moral".

an ethical dilemma

Implies a situation where one must choose between two or more conflicting ethical principles.

a moral quandary

Emphasizes the perplexing nature of the moral problem.

an ethical predicament

Highlights the problematic and difficult situation from an ethical standpoint.

a moral conundrum

Stresses the intricate and confusing nature of the moral issue.

a moral problem

A more straightforward and general way to refer to a difficult moral situation.

a conflict of values

Describes a situation where different values clash, leading to a moral difficulty.

a crisis of conscience

Indicates an internal struggle with one's own moral principles.

a question of ethics

Frames the difficulty as something that needs ethical consideration.

a tough moral decision

Focuses on the difficult nature of making a moral choice.

FAQs

How can I use "a moral difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "a moral difficulty" to describe a situation presenting ethical challenges. For example: "The company faced "a moral difficulty" when deciding whether to disclose the safety concerns".

What's the difference between "a moral difficulty" and "an ethical dilemma"?

Both phrases refer to challenging situations, but ""a moral difficulty"" is a general term. "An ethical dilemma" specifically implies a situation where one must choose between two or more conflicting ethical principles.

Are there synonyms for "a moral difficulty" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "an ethical challenge", "a moral quandary", or "a conflict of values" depending on the specific context.

Is "a moral difficulty" the same as "a practical difficulty"?

No, ""a moral difficulty"" refers to a problem rooted in ethics and values, while "a practical difficulty" refers to a problem rooted in logistics or feasibility.