moral uncertainty
Right-or-wrong confusion
Moral uncertainty is the state of not knowing which ethical position is correct when facing a decision.
Unlike factual uncertainty (not knowing what *is*), moral uncertainty concerns not knowing what one *ought* to do: Given my moral uncertainty about eating meat, I've reduced my consumption.
The concept is central to ethical philosophy, where it raises questions about how to act when genuinely unsure whether an action is right or wrong.
- ethical dilemmaSituation with competing values
- doubtLack of firm belief
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
hard choices · gray area · murky waters · conflicted · questioning · right and wrong · right thing · lesser evil · values · principles · torn · wavering · slippery slope · qualms · scruples · second-guessing · gut feeling · guilt
moral uncertaintymoral certainty
Firm ethical conviction
moral conviction · moral clarity · dogmatism · certitude · cocksureness
moral uncertaintymoral conviction
Firm ethical belief
self-righteousness · righteousness · certitude · sanctimony · clear conscience
moral uncertaintydogmatism
Unyielding adherence to doctrine
moral rigidity · black-and-white thinking · sanctimoniousness
moral, morals, morality, morally, moralist, moralistic, moralise, moralize, moralizing