ethical burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ethical burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the moral responsibilities or dilemmas that individuals or organizations face in decision-making processes. Example: "The ethical burden of choosing between profit and environmental sustainability weighs heavily on many corporations today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Our major objection here is the risk of an 'adverse effect' of trying to take away the ethical burden for secondary as well as primary research from researchers and research ethics committees, and put participants in charge.

European Journal of Human Genetics

He added, "I have an ethical burden not to prosecute a case unless I can prove it without a reasonable doubt".

The New York Times - Sports

Her immigration status already restricts her other employment prospects, and her limited options, as you imply, impose an additional ethical burden on you.

The New York Times - Magazine

Another issue is whether lawyers who hold public office like Mr. Clinton bear a greater ethical burden than lawyers who do not.

The New York Times

What Maher should have done was interview atheists themselves, the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, and investigate the ethical burden that atheism has to shoulder, the need to substitute a rational morality in place of superstition.

The Guardian - Film

Human embryonic stem cells carry an ethical burden in that they are derived by destroying an embryo, although one due to be discarded by the fertility clinic where it was created.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Can we not at least protect our clinicians from ethical burdens as well?

The New York Times

"It has none of the ethical burdens these steps towards germ-line modification would be shouldering," says Dana Carroll.

The Guardian

Surely it must be, particularly in the arena of the kitchen, where our moral and ethical burdens seem to grow greater almost by the hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although collecting such adult stem cells is free from the sort of ethical issues that burden ES-cell research, these cells have other problems.Among them is the long-standing belief that they are more limited than ES cells in the range of daughters they can produce, and in their capacity to self-renew.

The Economist

The inclusion of monetary incentives was deemed ethical, given the burden of questionnaire completion.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic contexts, use "ethical burden" to underscore the challenges and moral considerations faced by professionals making difficult decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "ethical burden" in situations where simpler terms like "responsibility" or "duty" suffice. The phrase carries a weightiness that may be inappropriate for everyday discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethical burden" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant moral or professional responsibility. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it often relates to challenges and dilemmas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ethical burden" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a significant moral or professional responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for neutral and formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and business discussions. While alternatives like "moral responsibility" and "ethical obligation" exist, "ethical burden" uniquely emphasizes the weight and difficulty associated with the responsibility. Understanding its nuances is key to precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral responsibility

Focuses on the moral aspect of the obligation, rather than the difficulty or weight implied by "burden".

ethical obligation

Highlights the binding nature of the ethical duty, with less emphasis on the hardship.

moral imperative

Suggests a compelling and unavoidable moral duty, stronger than a simple burden.

ethical responsibility

A more neutral term, focusing on accountability without the negative connotation of "burden".

professional duty

Specifies an obligation arising from one's profession, lacking the broader moral implication.

moral dilemma

Emphasizes the challenging decision-making process involved when facing conflicting moral principles, differing from the general responsibility.

ethical constraint

Highlights the limiting aspect of ethical principles on actions, rather than the weight of responsibility.

onerous duty

Stresses the heavy and troublesome nature of a task, not necessarily tied to ethics.

ethical quandary

Focuses on the state of perplexity or doubt concerning ethics, differing from the responsibility itself.

weight of conscience

Emphasizes the internal pressure and guilt associated with moral decisions, rather than an external responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "ethical burden" in a sentence?

You can use "ethical burden" to describe a difficult responsibility, as in, "The journalist felt the "ethical burden" of reporting on the scandal while protecting the victim's privacy".

What is a synonym for "ethical burden"?

Alternatives to "ethical burden" include "moral responsibility", "ethical obligation", or "moral imperative" depending on the context.

Is "ethical burden" different from "moral dilemma"?

Yes, "ethical burden" refers to a responsibility, while "moral dilemma" describes a situation with conflicting ethical choices.

Who typically bears an "ethical burden"?

An "ethical burden" can be borne by individuals, organizations, or professions, especially those in positions of power or influence, such as journalists, researchers, or policymakers.