not of morality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not of morality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions or arguments where you want to specify that something is not related to moral considerations. Example: "The decision was based on practical concerns, not of morality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For Reeder, it was a question of technique, not of morality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Realists argue that the moral rules that apply to individuals do not apply to states, whose relations should be governed by considerations of national interest not of morality.

The Economist

The traditional view that he was a detached scoffer is deeply wrong: he was skeptical not of morality but of much theorizing about it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, the usual course of events in civil society is for reason and sympathy to be displaced while humans' enhanced capacity for reasoning is put at the service, not of morality, but of the impulse to dominate, oppress and exploit.

SEP

Within Austin's approach, whether something is or is not "law" depends on which people have done what: the question turns on an empirical investigation, and it is a matter mostly of power, not of morality.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This approach, then, is non-reductionist in the sense that not all of morality is derived from the non-moral.

SEP

It's a question not only of morality, but of professionalism for a historian".

The Guardian - Books

The main concern of preliterate societies is not one of morality, but of more practical considerations: does the act weaken kinship ties and loyalty?

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The differences between Kach and Yisrael Beiteinu are minuscule, not fundamental and certainly not a matter of morality," wrote Gideon Levy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her existence is bigger than what happened to her. "Elle" is not a perfect movie, and certainly not a tribune of morality.

Huffington Post

This is not an abandonment of morality, however; realizing that self-interest and morality often diverge does not necessarily mean we should forsake the latter.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not of morality" to clearly demarcate discussions that should be based on factors other than ethics, such as practicality, legality, or strategy. This ensures clarity in arguments and avoids conflating different domains of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "not of morality" when you actually mean 'immoral'. "Not of morality" simply indicates that something is unrelated to moral considerations, whereas 'immoral' implies a violation of moral principles. The distinction is crucial for accurate communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not of morality" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, specifying that something is being considered apart from moral or ethical considerations. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in contrasting morality with other factors, such as technique or national interest.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not of morality" serves to explicitly exclude ethical considerations from a particular context, argument, or decision-making process. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and most commonly used in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that it is not confused with 'immoral', which signifies a violation of ethical principles rather than a detachment from them. Remember to use alternative phrases such as "unrelated to morality" or "distinct from ethical considerations" to further clarify your meaning and maintain a clear distinction in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrelated to morality

Replaces 'of' with 'to', emphasizing a lack of connection to morality.

irrelevant to morality

Highlights that moral considerations are not applicable or significant.

outside the scope of morality

Indicates that the subject falls beyond the boundaries of moral judgment.

distinct from moral concerns

Emphasizes the separation between the subject and moral considerations.

independent of moral principles

Stresses that the subject operates without reliance on moral rules.

separate from ethical considerations

Uses 'ethical considerations' as a synonym for morality, highlighting the distinction.

non-moral

Uses a single adjective to convey the absence of moral qualities.

beyond moral judgment

Suggests the subject cannot be evaluated using moral standards.

not a moral issue

Frames the subject as something other than a question of morality.

amoral

Implies a lack of moral sense or concern, differing from simply being unrelated to morality.

FAQs

How can I use "not of morality" in a sentence?

You can use "not of morality" to indicate that a decision, action, or consideration is based on factors other than ethical principles. For instance, 'The decision was based on strategic concerns, "not of morality"'.

What's the difference between "not of morality" and "immoral"?

"Not of morality" means something is unrelated to moral considerations, while "immoral" describes something that violates moral principles. They are not interchangeable.

Are there formal alternatives to "not of morality"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "distinct from ethical considerations", "independent of moral principles", or "outside the scope of morality" to convey a similar meaning in a more formal tone.

When is it appropriate to use "not of morality" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a particular issue, decision, or action is being evaluated based on non-moral criteria, such as practicality, legality, or efficiency.