morally responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing accountability or ethical obligations regarding an action or decision. Example: "The company is morally responsible for ensuring the safety of its products and the well-being of its customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet neither could be numerically identical to X, and if identity is a necessary condition of responsibility, neither could be morally responsible for his crime.

SEP

This claim suggests that technologies can autonomously and freely 'act' in a moral sense and can be held morally responsible for their actions.

SEP

Problem of moral responsibility, the problem of reconciling the belief that people are morally responsible for what they do with the apparent fact that humans do not have free will because their actions are causally determined.

Britannica

Furthermore, moral agents only perform evil actions when they are morally responsible for what they do and their actions are morally inexcusable (see e.g., Kekes 2005; Card 2010; Formosa 2008).

SEP

There are two major questions regarding the morality of self-deception: First, can a person be held morally responsible for self-deception and if so under what conditions?

SEP

Since moral responsibility seems to require free will, hard determinism implies that no one is morally responsible for his actions.

Britannica

Instead, it is about the moral responsibility of individuals who belong to groups that are themselves thought to be morally responsible for particular cases of harm.

SEP

Thompson feels comfortable speaking of these groups as morally responsible for harm on the grounds that they are like moral agents.

SEP

I suggest below that the unlikelihood that groups are really moral agents does not mean that the latter cannot be held morally responsible for harm.

SEP

How then can they be morally responsible for their actions?

Britannica

When can we be morally responsible for our behavior?

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "morally responsible for", clearly define the scope of responsibility. Specify the action, decision, or outcome for which the person or entity is accountable.

Common error

Avoid assigning moral responsibility too broadly. Ensure a direct causal link exists between the actor's actions and the outcome, and that the actor had the capacity to influence the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally responsible for" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is accountable for something based on moral principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morally responsible for" is a frequently used and grammatically correct expression that assigns ethical accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. The phrase signifies that someone or something is answerable for the consequences of their actions based on moral principles. When using "morally responsible for", ensure the scope of responsibility is clearly defined and directly linked to the actor's actions. Related phrases include "ethically accountable for" and "morally liable for", each carrying slightly different nuances. Understanding the register and context helps in using the phrase appropriately, preventing common errors such as overextending moral responsibility without a clear causal link.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethically accountable for

Emphasizes adherence to a specific ethical code or framework.

responsible in a moral sense for

Clarifies that the responsibility is specifically ethical rather than legal or practical.

morally liable for

Highlights the legal or quasi-legal consequences of moral failings.

answerable for one's actions

Focuses on the obligation to provide an explanation or justification for one's behavior.

morally bound to

Indicates a moral obligation or duty to take responsibility.

culpable for

Implicates a degree of blameworthiness or guilt in the outcome.

held to account for

Highlights the act of someone being judged for their moral responsibility.

morally obligated for

Indicates that one is bound by morality to take accountability for something.

blameworthy for

Directly assigns blame or fault to an individual or group.

accountable for ethical implications

More verbose alternative that underscores the consideration of ethical consequences.

FAQs

How do you use "morally responsible for" in a sentence?

You can use "morally responsible for" to indicate that someone is accountable for the ethical consequences of their actions. For instance, "The corporation is morally responsible for the environmental damage caused by its operations."

What's the difference between "morally responsible for" and "legally responsible for"?

"Morally responsible for" refers to ethical accountability, while "legally responsible for" refers to accountability under the law. A person can be morally responsible without being legally responsible, and vice versa.

What are some alternatives to saying "morally responsible for"?

You can use alternatives such as "ethically accountable for", "morally liable for", or "culpable for" depending on the context.

Can a group be "morally responsible for" something?

Yes, groups or organizations can be "morally responsible for" actions or outcomes, particularly when the actions are a result of the group's collective decisions or policies. The extent of individual members' responsibility within the group can be a complex issue.