moral inclination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral inclination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person's natural tendency or disposition towards ethical behavior or moral choices. Example: "Her moral inclination led her to volunteer at the local shelter, helping those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is cognate with her moral inclination to chastity in the face of masculine concupiscence.

The Guardian - Books

The Confucians, by contrast, were forced to flip between appealing to some cultivated authority and attributing an innate moral inclination to the existing conventional language dào to such ordinary people.

SEP

Firstly, an increase in funding to address easily preventable deaths in poor countries would be consistent with our collective moral inclination.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I would be trading away my independence, the ability to make my own business decisions if I had to be answering to just the bottom line, rather than my moral inclinations".

The New York Times

A monstrous body, on the other hand, indicates ill health, bad luck, and dubious moral inclinations.

SEP

The basic thought, however, is that primitive moral inclinations, such as toward helping family and avoiding harm even to strangers, remain with us as prima facie reasons for action, even when contrary moral considerations may override these core inclinations.

SEP

He argues that because moral truth on his theory concerns the needs of human society, one can expect that under propitious conditions the more biologically fit moral inclinations would tend to track (or "quasi-track," his term) certain core moral truths.

SEP

So, let's tap into our empathic, compassionate and moral inclinations to make the world a better place for all beings.

Huffington Post

Second, any sound strategy to rebuild the economy will recognize that our moral inclinations happen to gel with our economic goals.

Huffington Post

We are to imagine the children start off with natural (non-moral) inclinations to be very partial towards themselves and a few others.

SEP

For the first path, companies can appropriately prompt consumer inclination to moral or ecological products, by highlighting the advantages of the other attributes or halo effect.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal ethics, use "moral inclination" to suggest a natural, ingrained tendency towards ethical behavior. For example, "Her moral inclination led her to donate to charity regularly."

Common error

Avoid using "moral inclination" when you mean "moral obligation". Inclination refers to a tendency, while obligation refers to a duty or requirement. A person may have a "moral inclination" to help others but also a "moral obligation" to pay their taxes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral inclination" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "moral" modifies the noun "inclination". It serves to describe a predisposition or tendency towards ethical behavior, aligning with the concept of having an inner drive to act in a morally upright way. Ludwig provides examples showing how this phrase is used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moral inclination" describes a natural predisposition towards ethical behavior. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and used across diverse fields, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While not extremely common, it provides a nuanced way to express a leaning towards moral conduct. Related phrases include "moral tendency" and "ethical disposition", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. Remember to distinguish "moral inclination" from "moral obligation", and use it to describe an inner tendency rather than an external duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral tendency

Emphasizes a pattern of moral behavior, slightly more descriptive than an inclination.

moral willingness

Focuses on the readiness to act morally, rather than an inherent tendency.

moral orientation

Refers to a general ethical stance or worldview, a more comprehensive concept than a single inclination.

moral intention

Underscores the motivation behind a moral decision, not necessarily a habitual tendency.

moral preference

Indicates a chosen ethical stance, implying active selection rather than inherent bias.

spiritual inclination

Shifts the focus from ethics to a more religious or soulful tendency.

moral temptation

Highlights the pull towards unethical choices, contrasting with the positive sense of "moral inclination".

moral trend

Highlights a general ethical direction.

moral slope

Analogizes the inclination, suggesting the potential for sliding towards immoral behavior if unchecked.

moral angle

Highlights a particular perspective when approaching a moral problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "moral inclination" to describe a person's natural tendency towards ethical behavior. For example: "His moral inclination led him to always tell the truth."

What are some alternatives to "moral inclination"?

Some alternatives include "moral tendency", "ethical disposition", or "moral predisposition". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Yes, "ethical inclination" is a valid alternative. While "moral" relates to principles of right and wrong, "ethical" often refers to accepted rules of conduct within a specific group or profession. The choice depends on the specific context and the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "moral inclination" and "moral obligation"?

"Moral inclination" refers to a natural tendency or desire to act ethically, while "moral obligation" refers to a duty or requirement to act in a certain way. You might have a "moral inclination" to donate to charity, but you have a "moral obligation" to not steal.