moral emptiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral emptiness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of ethical values or principles in a person, action, or society. Example: "The character's journey through the story highlights his moral emptiness, as he consistently chooses self-interest over integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And Qutb watches people dance to that song and he has these thoughts about the moral emptiness of capitalism.

The Guardian

The moral emptiness of "Jeff in Venice" seems all the more devastating when put into relief by its companion, "Death in Varanasi".

The New Yorker

The Greeks and Romans who inhabited his plays sometimes called each other comrade; the plays were often allegories about the moral emptiness of the West.

The New Yorker

He denounced materialism and moral emptiness, and lived in increasing seclusion in a remote corner of New England.As communism collapsed, his books, once read only in flimsy, blurred carbon copies, could all be published legally inside the Soviet Union.

The Economist

There are acts of beauty, but these are often sinister and his story serves largely to show the moral emptiness of pure aestheticism.D'Annunzio's was a life of consummate theatricality in a country where theatre permeates everything from eating to politics.

The Economist

Not to be confused with the other better-known Murakami, Ryu's subject is the moral emptiness of contemporary Japan and his books are guaranteed to send a shiver down the spine.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Or maybe the canyon itself reflects their moral and spiritual emptiness.

The New York Times

Fortunately, the mass of ordinary citizens in Britain, though largely excluded from decision-making, has sensed clearly the moral and strategic emptiness of the 'war on terror'.

The Guardian - Books

It is the dreary moral and intellectual emptiness of those in the community who eagerly rise to say "I am this (hashtag)," or "I am that (hashtag)," in solidarity with some identities, but then rush, hands-over-tweets, to censure that one Hindu who dares to say, simply: "I am a Hindu".

Huffington Post

Excoriating the emptiness of moral philosophy as it was then practised, he diagnosed its "original way of being boring, which is by not discussing moral issues at all".

The Guardian

On Tuesday night Field-Marshal Hussein Tantawi made a speech reminiscent of Hosni Mubarak in its detachment and tardiness, its formal emptiness, its moral vacuity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing societal trends or cultural phenomena, use "moral emptiness" to underscore a lack of ethical values or principles. For example, "The film critiques the moral emptiness of contemporary consumer culture."

Common error

Avoid using "moral emptiness" when you actually mean moral ambiguity. Moral ambiguity refers to a situation where it's difficult to distinguish between right and wrong, while "moral emptiness" implies a complete absence of moral values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral emptiness" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes the absence or lack of ethical and moral principles. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in various written forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moral emptiness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the absence of ethical and moral principles. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and suggests that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "ethical void" or "spiritual void" exist, understanding the specific nuance you wish to convey is crucial for selecting the most appropriate term. Remember to avoid confusing "moral emptiness" with moral ambiguity, which signifies a different concept. Ultimately, using this phrase effectively requires careful consideration of its implications and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical void

Focuses specifically on the absence of ethical principles.

spiritual void

Highlights the lack of spiritual fulfillment or meaning.

lack of morality

A more direct and general expression of the absence of morals.

absence of values

Emphasizes the non-existence of guiding principles or beliefs.

ethical vacuum

Suggests a void where ethical considerations should be.

devoid of ethics

Highlights that something is completely lacking ethical considerations.

lack of principle

Focuses on the absence of guiding moral principles.

moral deficiency

Suggests a flaw or inadequacy in moral character.

spiritual aridity

Implies a dryness or barrenness in one's spiritual life.

hollow morality

Highlights the absence of true depth in a moral system.

FAQs

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

You can use "moral emptiness" to describe a lack of ethical values or principles in a person, action, or society. Example: "The character's journey highlights his "moral emptiness", as he consistently chooses self-interest over integrity."

What are some alternatives to "moral emptiness"?

You can use alternatives like "ethical void", "spiritual void", or "lack of morality" depending on the context.

Is "moral emptiness" the same as moral ambiguity?

No, "moral emptiness" refers to a complete absence of moral values, while moral ambiguity refers to a situation where it's difficult to distinguish between right and wrong. They are distinct concepts.

What kind of situations are best described using the phrase "moral emptiness"?

The phrase "moral emptiness" is best used to describe situations, characters, or systems that demonstrate a complete lack of ethical or moral consideration, where actions are driven by self-interest, apathy, or a nihilistic worldview.