moral compass
Inner right-wrong sense
A moral compass is one's inner sense of right and wrong that guides decisions and behavior.
The metaphor draws from the navigational instrument: just as a compass points north to keep travelers oriented, a moral compass points toward ethical conduct.
Someone with a strong moral compass reliably makes principled choices, while someone who has lost their moral compass has become ethically disoriented.
His moral compass wouldn't let him accept the bribe.
Moral self-reproach
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- pangsSudden sharp sensations
inner voice · self-reflection · scruples · qualms · self-examination · inner guide · still small voice
Moral goodness or merit
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- decencyMoral appropriateness in behavior
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- justiceFair treatment under law
duty · responsibility · dignity · compassion · kindness · mercy · respect · loyalty
Truthfulness, sincerity
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
- probityThorough moral honesty
trustworthiness · reliability · steadfastness · incorruptibility · character · authenticity · wholeness · soundness
Way something faces
- navigationDetermining position and course
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- pathRoute for traveling
- bearingPosture or orientation
course · North Star · true north · beacon · lighthouse · signpost · lodestone · guiding light
Study of fundamental truths
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
- normativeSetting behavioral standards
- relativismContext-dependent truth doctrine
metaethics · bioethics · applied ethics · ethical framework · consequentialism · ethical principles · categorical imperative · golden rule
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- shamePainful awareness of failure
pangs · inner voice · self-reflection · scruples · qualms · self-examination · inner guide · still small voice
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- decencyMoral appropriateness in behavior
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
justice · duty · responsibility · dignity · compassion · kindness · mercy · respect · loyalty · courage
honesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
probity · trustworthiness · reliability · steadfastness · incorruptibility · character · authenticity · wholeness · soundness · principled
direction
Way something faces
- navigationDetermining position and course
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- pathRoute for traveling
bearing · course · North Star · true north · beacon · lighthouse · signpost · lodestone · guiding light · waypoint
philosophy
Study of fundamental truths
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
- normativeSetting behavioral standards
relativism · metaethics · bioethics · applied ethics · ethical framework · consequentialism · ethical principles · categorical imperative · golden rule · situational ethics
- moralityethics, right and wrong, conscience, ethical principles, ethical standards
- valuesvalue, honesty, worth, fairness, good
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- moral sayingsdo unto others, golden rule, do the right thing, honesty is the best policy, treat others fairly
- moral virtuesvirtues, honesty, righteousness, integrity, virtue
- moralsethics lessons, conscience, principles, values, ethics
moral compassamorality
Lacking ethical concern
moral bankruptcy · moral blindness · valuelessness · unscrupulousness · spiritual emptiness
moral compassmoral corruption
Degradation of ethical principles
sociopathy · psychopathy · self-interest · greed · base instincts
moral, compass, immoral, morality, morals, mores, morally, amoral, immorality