appeal to conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

"appeal to conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which an individual or group is trying to convince another individual to make a decision or take action based on moral imperative or a sense of justice. For example, "The activists appealed to the mayor's conscience in an effort to convince him to oppose the new mining operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

For if the worker has no power to demand (other than as an appeal to conscience), he or she has nothing.

The Guardian - Film

Such an appeal to conscience did not win the nomination for Kennedy, who lost to Carter, who in turn lost the general election to Ronald Reagan.

The New York Times - Magazine

Critics of the American presence in Afghanistan call it "emotional blackmail" and even "war porn," while those who fear the consequences of abandoning Afghanistan see it as a powerful appeal to conscience.

The New York Times

Suddenly, Biafra's hunger was one of the defining stories of the age — the graphic suffering of innocents made an inescapable appeal to conscience — and the humanitarian-aid business as we know it today came into being.

The New Yorker

Imagine how much more might have changed if the Northern civil rights movement had borrowed more of the moral appeal to conscience that inspired civil rights in the South.

The New York Times - Books

Richard Hooker, an Anglican divine who wrote Of the Lawes of Ecclesiasticall Politie (1593 97), reconciled Thomist doctrines of transcendent and natural law, binding on all human beings, with the authority of the Elizabethan Church of England, which he defended against the Puritan appeal to conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Because it's a lame-duck session -- with a dozen or more Democrats serving their last days after being defeated in the November, 1864, election in which Lincoln was reelected -- it's possible to twist arms, offer patronage and even appeal to consciences to get enough Democratic votes.

Huffington Post

Prayers, protests, appeals to conscience and pleas for love filled Nneka's set at S.O.B.'s on Tuesday night.

The New York Times

As he has implored Democrats not to let his health bill die, Mr. Obama has often used the kind of lofty rhetoric and appeals to conscience and history that were his hallmark on the campaign trail.

The New York Times

Rothbart and a growing army of fellow-scavengers are constantly finding doodles, diaries, report cards, and appeals to conscience ("If you took my detergent I'm sure it was a mistake so I'm not mad yet").

The New Yorker

And this he did by a combination of appeals to conscience, sweet talk, threats and by refusing to put anything else, at all, before Congress until the bill was passed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appeal to conscience" when you want to highlight the ethical dimension of a request or argument. It implies that the person being addressed has a sense of right and wrong that can be influenced.

Common error

Avoid using "appeal to conscience" in situations that are purely practical or transactional. This phrase is most effective when genuinely highlighting a moral or ethical dilemma.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to conscience" functions as a verbal phrase, often used as part of a larger sentence structure to describe the act of attempting to persuade someone based on their moral or ethical beliefs. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appeal to conscience" is a grammatically sound and ethically charged expression used to describe an attempt to persuade someone by invoking their moral or ethical compass. Ludwig indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. While not exceedingly frequent, the expression appears most commonly in News & Media, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Alternative phrases include "invoke moral responsibility" and "entreat with moral suasion", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "appeal to conscience", ensure it is used in a context genuinely related to ethical considerations to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeal to moral compass

This uses a metaphor to suggest guiding someone towards ethical behavior.

invoke moral responsibility

This alternative emphasizes the act of calling upon someone's sense of duty or moral obligation.

urge ethical consideration

This phrase emphasizes the importance of thinking about the ethical implications of a situation.

make a plea for ethical conduct

This is a formal way of requesting someone to behave in an ethical manner.

solicit moral consideration

This phrase involves requesting someone to take moral factors into account.

call upon one's ethics

This phrase is more direct, specifically referencing a person's ethical principles as the basis for the appeal.

implore a sense of justice

This focuses on the desire for fairness and righteousness as the motivating factor.

entreat with moral suasion

This phrase suggests persuading someone through moral arguments and reasoning.

seek ethical justification

This implies looking for moral grounds to support a particular action or decision.

challenge one's integrity

This alternative implies a questioning of someone's honesty and adherence to moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "appeal to conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "appeal to conscience" to describe an attempt to persuade someone by invoking their sense of right and wrong. For example: "The lawyer made an "appeal to conscience" in hopes of swaying the jury."

What's a more formal alternative to "appeal to conscience"?

A more formal alternative could be "invoke moral responsibility" or "entreat with moral suasion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "appeal to conscience"?

It is appropriate when addressing someone who has the power to make a morally significant decision, and when you believe they might be swayed by ethical considerations.

How does "appeal to conscience" differ from a simple request?

"Appeal to conscience" goes beyond a simple request by adding an ethical or moral dimension. It implies that the person being asked has a moral obligation to act in a certain way, which is why you should not use "appeal to faith" or "appeal to morality" as perfect synonims.