moral apprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

'moral apprehension' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the feeling of anticipating a moral dilemma or complex ethical situation. For example, when Mary opened the door to greet her guest, she felt a sudden moral apprehension about how to proceed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You should, however, voice your moral apprehension about the use of such loopholes to the company you represent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many young people "know that it's wrong to break into a person's house, yet they don't feel the same moral apprehension before breaking into another person's computer," Eric Holder, the deputy United States attorney general, has said about similar cases.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ross thinks we can trust our moral apprehensions, and since apprehension is a matter of knowledge, and knowledge implies certainty, he is certain that we have the above responsibilities and that certain things are intrinsically valuable (RG 146, 29, 30; KT 42; cf. Audi 2004).

SEP

And I know it's not pretty, but my moral apprehensions about it mostly disappeared the first moment I tasted pork crackling.

Vice

This announcement was cause for thumbs-up galore, among other reactions: apprehension, verbal dislikes, moral outrage, noisy indifference.

The New Yorker

He compares this natural apprehension of a moral principle to the depth perception humans have thanks to the evolution of stereo vision.

The New York Times

So, conscience does not motivate in and of itself, nor does the rational apprehension of one's moral duty, but Locke identifies a species of pleasure distinct from divine sanctions that makes his notion of acting for conscious' sake perfectly consistent with his hedonism: to act for conscious' sake is to be motivated by, and take pleasure in, acting in accordance with one's moral duty.

SEP

Intuitionists have differed over the kinds of moral truths that are amenable to direct apprehension.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When a work of art represents human activity, then Hume's account of moral evaluation requires that moral sentiment accompany apprehension of the action.

SEP

W. D. Ross, for example, uses the notion of apprehension, but he tends to base his moral theory largely on our considered moral convictions.

SEP

Today's remarks came as the United States continued a buildup of military forces in the Middle East, and they exemplified international leaders' apprehensions and attempts at political and moral suasion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moral apprehension" to precisely describe a feeling of unease or worry specifically related to ethical considerations in a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "moral apprehension" when simply describing general anxiety or fear. This phrase is specific to concerns about right and wrong, not just any apprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral apprehension" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "moral" modifies the noun "apprehension". It typically serves to specify the type of worry or unease one feels when facing a situation with ethical implications. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral apprehension" is a noun phrase used to express a feeling of unease or worry specifically related to ethical considerations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe the anticipation of a moral dilemma or complex ethical situation. While relatively rare, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, media, and academic writing. To use it effectively, ensure that the apprehension you're describing is genuinely linked to moral or ethical concerns, and not just general anxiety. Consider alternatives like "ethical unease" or "moral concern" to add variety to your writing. The contexts in which this phrase is most frequently used include news and media and the sciences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical unease

Replaces "apprehension" with "unease", focusing on the discomfort aspect.

moral concern

Emphasizes the worry or care related to moral issues.

ethical reservation

Highlights a reluctance or doubt based on ethical principles.

scruples

A more concise term referring to moral or ethical considerations that prevent someone from doing something.

ethical misgivings

Focuses on feelings of doubt or apprehension about the morality of an action.

moral hesitation

Highlights the pause or reluctance due to moral considerations.

ethical anxiety

Conveys a stronger sense of worry or unease related to ethical issues.

moral qualms

Similar to scruples, referring to feelings of doubt or unease, especially concerning moral matters.

awareness of moral implications

Shifts the focus to understanding the potential ethical consequences.

ethical sensitivity

Highlights a keen awareness and understanding of ethical issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "moral apprehension" to describe a feeling of ethical unease or worry about the moral implications of a situation. For example, "She felt a sense of "moral apprehension" when asked to compromise her values for profit."

What is a synonym for "moral apprehension"?

Alternatives to "moral apprehension" include phrases like "ethical unease", "moral concern", or "ethical reservation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ethical apprehension" instead of "moral apprehension"?

While "ethical apprehension" is understandable, "moral apprehension" is more commonly used to describe a feeling of unease related to questions of right and wrong. Both terms are related, but the usage of "moral" in this context is more standard.

What's the difference between "moral apprehension" and simply feeling "apprehensive"?

Feeling "apprehensive" generally implies a sense of worry or unease about a future event. "Moral apprehension" specifically relates that feeling to ethical or moral considerations, indicating a concern about the rightness or wrongness of a situation or action.