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Amoral Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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amoral

[eษชหˆmษ”หrษ™l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Lacking moral principles; not conforming to accepted standards of morality.

Synonyms

immoral, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
amoral

Used when describing someone or something that does not have or show any concern for moral standards, not necessarily judging actions as good or bad.

  • He is an amoral scientist who only considers the outcomes of his experiments, irrespective of the consequences
  • The company takes an amoral stance, focusing solely on profits
unprincipled

Typically used to describe a person who has no moral principles and acts in a selfish or dishonest way, often carrying a negative tone.

  • He was an unprincipled politician who would say anything to get elected
  • Her unprincipled behavior made her unpopular among her peers
unethical

Use this word to describe actions or behaviors that violate accepted professional or societal standards of conduct. It also carries a negative connotation.

  • The lawyer was disbarred for unethical practices
  • It is considered unethical to manipulate data in scientific research
immoral

Best used when describing actions or behaviors that are considered wrong or evil according to moral principles. This word carries a strong negative connotation.

  • Lying to your friends is considered immoral
  • His involvement in the scandal was deemed deeply immoral by the community
unscrupulous

Used to describe someone who behaves in a dishonest or unfair way in order to gain an advantage, with a strong negative implication.

  • The unscrupulous car dealer sold me a defective vehicle
  • He was known for his unscrupulous business tactics

Examples of usage

  • He was an amoral man, willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals.
  • The character in the movie was portrayed as amoral, caring only about his own interests.
  • She approached the situation in an amoral way, ignoring the ethical implications.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Amoralism differs from immorality; it's not about choosing to do bad things, but rather not considering good or bad at all.
  • Philosophers like Nietzsche discussed amoral ideas, suggesting that traditional morals could limit human potential.

Literature

  • Characters in novels often display amoral traits, exploring themes of selfishness and lacking moral considerations, like Tom Ripley in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'.
  • Dostoevskyโ€™s 'Crime and Punishment' features Raskolnikov, whose amoral reasoning leads him into dangerous ethical territory.

Psychology

  • Research shows that some individuals may exhibit amoral behavior due to lack of empathy or understanding of social norms.
  • Certain personality disorders might be associated with amoral traits, where individuals lack the ability to gauge societal morals effectively.

Pop Culture

  • In films and series, amoral characters often break the rules, blurring lines between hero and villain, like in 'Breaking Bad' with Walter Whiteโ€™s transformation.
  • The anti-hero archetype in comic books often embodies amoral traits, focusing on personal goals rather than societyโ€™s laws.

Ethics

  • The debate around technology, especially AI, raises amoral questionsโ€”can machines be neutral, and what happens when they make decisions devoid of human ethics?
  • In business ethics, 'amoral' practices can lead to corporate scandals if companies prioritize profit over ethical considerations.

Origin of 'amoral'

The word 'amoral' is derived from the prefix 'a-' meaning 'not' and the word 'moral', ultimately from the Latin 'moralis'. The concept of amorality is often contrasted with morality, suggesting a lack of concern for ethical principles or a disregard for right and wrong. The term is commonly used in discussions of ethics and philosophy to describe actions or individuals that do not adhere to moral standards.

See also: demoralize, demoralized, immoral, immorality, immorally, moral, moralistic, morality, moralize, moralizing, morally, morals.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,177, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.