moral justification for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral justification for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasoning or rationale behind a moral or ethical decision or action. Example: "The committee provided a moral justification for their decision to implement the new policy, emphasizing the importance of fairness and equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What, he asks, is the moral justification for that?

The Washington Post

Now, you can certainly argue there's no moral justification for that dissonance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few other offenders have such a compelling moral justification for breaking the law.

The Washington Post

He would not be drawn into any serious discussion of the moral justification for booing him.

The New York Times - Sports

The framework thus provides a moral justification for free-market capitalism in mathematical terms.

Columbia University

Undocumented workers take potential jobs from U.S. citizens, but who is to say citizenship is a moral justification for employment?

The New York Times - Magazine

There is no moral justification for chief executives' being paid hundreds of times more than ordinary employees.

The New York Times

"Equally, there is no defence of moral justification for killing, just as there is no defence of religious justification.

The Guardian

Franco's moral justification for the campaign that sparked the Civil War was that he was undertaking a religious crusade as Defender of the Faith.

The New Yorker

"Let no one ever doubt again the moral justification for invading another country for humanitarian ends," he tells cheering members of the British Parliament.

The New York Times - Arts

Thinkers such as Cicero adopted the language of Greek tyranny to describe Caesar's position and debated the moral justification for tyrannicide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moral justification for", ensure the context clearly specifies whose morals are being used as the basis. For example, state "the moral justification for this law according to utilitarian ethics".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "moral justification for" an action automatically makes it legally permissible. Morality and legality are distinct, and an action can have a "moral justification for" some people but still be illegal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral justification for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the reasoning or rationale behind an action, decision, or belief, specifically focusing on its moral or ethical underpinnings. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral justification for" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase employed to explain the ethical reasoning behind an action or belief. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific discussions, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, clarity is key; explicitly state whose morals are being referenced. While alternatives such as "ethical grounds for" or "moral basis for" exist, "moral justification for" remains a robust choice for articulating ethical reasoning. Be mindful not to equate "moral justification for" with legal permissibility, as they operate under different frameworks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical grounds for

Focuses specifically on ethical principles as the basis for justification.

moral basis for

Highlights the fundamental moral principles supporting an action.

ethical rationale for

Emphasizes the reasoning behind an ethical decision.

moral reasoning behind

Directly refers to the thought process used to justify an action morally.

ethical defense of

Suggests an attempt to protect the morality of an action or belief.

justification on moral grounds

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the grounds of morality.

rationale from a moral standpoint

Offers a viewpoint related to moral principles.

vindication from an ethical perspective

Suggests an attempt to clear someone or something from an ethical wrongdoing.

moral legitimization of

Stresses the act of making something morally acceptable or legitimate.

reasoning rooted in morality

Highlights that reasoning comes from a moral background.

FAQs

How can I use "moral justification for" in a sentence?

You can use "moral justification for" to explain the reasoning behind a decision or action that is based on ethical principles. For instance, "The politician offered a "moral justification for" /s/moral+justification+for his vote, citing the needs of his constituents".

What are some alternatives to saying "moral justification for"?

Alternatives include "ethical grounds for", "moral basis for", or "ethical rationale for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "moral justification for" and "ethical justification for"?

While similar, "moral" generally relates to personal beliefs about right and wrong, whereas "ethical" often refers to broader, agreed-upon principles within a group or profession. Both phrases can be used to provide reasons for actions.

What is the role of "moral justification for" in debates about war or conflict?

"Moral justification for" is often invoked to argue the righteousness or necessity of military actions. Just War Theory, for example, provides criteria for assessing the "moral justification for" engaging in conflict, based on principles like just cause, proportionality, and legitimate authority.