private judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing personal opinions, decisions, or assessments that are made independently of external influence or authority. Example: "In matters of personal belief, each individual is entitled to their private judgment without interference from others."

✓ Grammatically correct

Personal opinions

Decision-making

Individual assessments

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Several senior officers were (in the private judgment of Roosevelt's secretary of war) "essentially pro-German".

The Economist

Some spoke of Protestantism as being devoted to the right of private judgment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such shifts of opinion should not derive from mere private judgment.

Cornell University

He chided "even well-bred people and scholars for surrendering their right of private judgment to literary governors".

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're always judging, sitting in personal private judgment of the movies we see anyway... And, also, everyone sits in judgment on us.

The Guardian - Film

Long-term sleep deprivation, said Dr. Neil Kavey of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, impairs not just public performance but also private judgment and problem-solving ability.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Public pronouncements crowd out private opinions, and the market ceases to function as a way of aggregating and revealing diverse, private judgments of the world.

The Economist

The dissent characterizes as "factually unfounded," post at 1014, our conclusion that decisions initiated by nursing homes and physicians to transfer patients to lower levels of care ultimately depend on private judgments about the health needs of the patients.

Cornell University

If, as is likely, he has harsher private judgments, he will save them for Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the British ambassador, who, calling from London on Thursday in behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair, alerted him to the disclosure.

The New York Times

Do the other assumptions of Hobbes's philosophy license the existence of this imagined state of isolated individuals pursuing their private judgments?

SEP

Indeed, it is important to Hobbes to preserve this public sense of consciousness/conscience, since he viewed the private judgments of conscience to be "repugnant to civil society" (Leviathan 29.7).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private judgment" when you want to emphasize the independence and personal nature of a decision or assessment, especially in contexts where external authority or influence might be present.

Common error

Avoid using "private judgment" when referring to widely held beliefs or opinions. "Private judgment" refers to an individual's assessment, while public opinion reflects the views of a larger group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private judgment" functions as a noun phrase that describes the act or capacity of an individual to form their own opinions and make decisions independently, without undue influence from external authorities or established norms. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "private judgment" is a noun phrase denoting the capacity for independent thought and decision-making. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedia and scientific sources, it emphasizes individual autonomy. While synonyms like "personal assessment" and "independent opinion" exist, "private judgment" retains a formal and deliberate tone. When using the phrase, ensure you're highlighting independent decision-making rather than general public sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Personal assessment

Replaces 'judgment' with 'assessment', emphasizing the evaluation aspect.

Individual evaluation

Substitutes both words to highlight the independent nature of the evaluation.

Independent opinion

Focuses on the opinion formed independently, rather than the act of judging.

Personal discretion

Highlights the freedom to make choices based on one's own judgment.

Subjective evaluation

Emphasizes the personal and potentially biased nature of the evaluation.

Individual perspective

Focuses on a unique viewpoint rather than the decision-making process.

Personal viewpoint

Similar to individual perspective, emphasizing a personal stance.

Own conclusion

Highlights the act of reaching a conclusion independently.

Personal conviction

Emphasizes a strong belief formed through personal judgment.

Self-determined decision

Focuses on the autonomy of the decision-making process.

FAQs

How is "private judgment" used in philosophical contexts?

In philosophy, "private judgment" often refers to the individual's capacity to form opinions and make decisions based on their own reason and conscience, especially in matters of ethics, politics, or religion.

What's the difference between "personal opinion" and "private judgment"?

"Personal opinion" is a general term for someone's view on a subject. "Private judgment" implies a more considered and independent assessment, often in contrast to external influences or established norms. You could consider using phrases like "individual evaluation" or "personal assessment" depending on context.

What are some synonyms for "private judgment" that emphasize independence?

Synonyms that emphasize independence include "independent opinion", "personal discretion", and "self-determined decision". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

In what situations is it important to exercise "private judgment"?

Exercising "private judgment" is crucial when faced with conflicting information, ethical dilemmas, or situations where you need to form an independent opinion despite external pressures. It allows for critical thinking and autonomous decision-making.