moral liability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral liability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about ethics, responsibility, or accountability in various contexts, particularly in legal or philosophical discussions. Example: "The company faced moral liability for its role in the environmental disaster, prompting calls for greater corporate responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The view claims that political legitimacy is a form of normative power that entails moral liability, but not necessarily a moral claim-right that entails moral duty.

Harvard University

It will surely also raise new ethical questions, such as the legal and moral liability in self-driving cars, or the implications of autonomous weapons (see "How to Help Self-Driving Cars Make Ethical Decisions").

MIT Technology Review

Jeff McMahan, a professor of moral philosophy at Oxford, told me, "The conscious choice to impose a risk — even permissible risk, as in the case of driving — opens a person up to moral liability".

The New Yorker

It means organizations lose talented, valuable workers, especially women, while retaining people who are a legal and moral liability.

TechCrunch

It is not desirable that they should invoke the fact that 'they didn't do it on purpose' as a way of getting out of moral liability.

Bioethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Obsolete and unchallenged frames can be moral liabilities.

HuffPost

Talese never remarks on the delusional thinking, let alone the issue of moral (or criminal) liability.

The Guardian - Books

Saying on Thursday that those conditions could turn out to be "a big price to pay," Mr. Azenberg said producers might be concerned about the moral and legal liability involved in casting an actor convicted of endangering a child.

The New York Times

If his close political allies seem ready to embark on his political rehabilitation, others will judge that DSK can be personally reckless and now represents a moral and political liability for the Socialist party.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are exceptions to the principle that every man is presumed to possess ordinary capacity to avoid harm to his neighbors, which illustrate the rule, and also the moral basis of liability in general.

Harvard University

This would be a woeful prospect when taken in isolation, but seems more reprehensible when we know that others with much greater liabilities (moral if not legal ones) are treated with kid gloves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "moral liability", clearly define the ethical framework being used to determine responsibility. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "moral liability" interchangeably with legal liability. Moral liability refers to ethical obligations, while legal liability refers to obligations enforceable by law. While related, they are distinct concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral liability" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its role in discussions about ethics and responsibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral liability" is a noun phrase used to denote ethical responsibility for actions or omissions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase, primarily found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. While related to legal liability, it specifically addresses ethical duties and obligations. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by defining the ethical framework and avoid interchanging it with legal liability. Alternatives such as "ethical responsibility" or "moral accountability" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical accountability

Focuses more on the responsibility to adhere to a code of conduct or set of moral principles.

moral responsibility

Emphasizes the duty to act in a morally correct way, shifting focus from potential repercussions.

ethical culpability

Highlights the blameworthiness associated with unethical actions.

moral accountability

Stresses the obligation to answer for one's moral actions and decisions.

ethical duty

Implies a specific obligation based on ethical principles.

moral burden

Suggests the weight or difficulty associated with a moral obligation.

legal responsibility

Highlights the legal aspect of the obligation rather than the moral one.

ethical oversight

Emphasizes the supervision and management of ethical conduct.

moral failing

Points to a deficiency or shortcoming in moral character or behavior.

accountability for ethical breaches

Addresses the responsibility for violations of ethical standards.

FAQs

How is "moral liability" different from legal liability?

"Moral liability" pertains to ethical responsibilities and duties, stemming from principles of right and wrong. Legal liability, on the other hand, concerns obligations enforceable by law. An entity can have "legal liability" without moral fault, and vice versa.

What are some synonyms for "moral liability"?

Alternatives to "moral liability" include "ethical responsibility", "moral accountability", and "ethical culpability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

In what contexts is the term "moral liability" typically used?

"Moral liability" is frequently used in discussions about business ethics, philosophical debates regarding responsibility, and legal contexts where ethical considerations intersect with legal obligations.

How does one assess "moral liability" in a given situation?

Assessing "moral liability" involves considering the ethical principles at stake, the actions taken (or not taken), the foreseeable consequences, and the degree to which an individual or entity could have prevented harm or injustice. This often requires a nuanced, case-by-case evaluation.