virtue signaling
Ethics as display
Virtue signaling is publicly expressing moral values or opinions primarily to demonstrate one's good character rather than to effect change.
The term is almost always pejorative, suggesting the person cares more about appearing virtuous than being virtuous: Posting a black square on Instagram was just virtue signaling.
Critics use it to dismiss expressions of concern as performative and self-serving, though the accusation itself can be a way of deflecting legitimate moral discourse.
Done for appearance's sake
- sanctimonyFeigned moral superiority
- self-righteousnessSmug moral superiority
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
holier-than-thou · smugness · insincerity · lip service · pretense · showboating · disingenuous · superficiality
- postingPublishing content online
- sharingDividing among others
- awareness ribbonLooped symbol for causes
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
cancel culture · callout · woke · influencer · viral · retweet · likes · echo chamber
Study of right conduct
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- conscienceInternal moral sense
integrity · beliefs · ideology · standards · convictions · judgment · purity · decency
Clearly visible, attention-grabbing
- ostentatiousShowily excessive
- public displayPresentation before onlookers
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- image managementCurating public perception
reputation · impression management · identity · in-group · tribal · conformity · social proof · peer pressure
performative
Done for appearance's sake
- sanctimonyFeigned moral superiority
- self-righteousnessSmug moral superiority
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
posturing · holier-than-thou · smugness · insincerity · lip service · pretense · showboating · disingenuous · superficiality · facade
hashtag activism
- postingPublishing content online
- sharingDividing among others
- awareness ribbonLooped symbol for causes
trending · cancel culture · callout · woke · influencer · viral · retweet · likes · echo chamber · public shaming
ethics
Study of right conduct
- valuesPrinciples held worthwhile
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
conscience · integrity · beliefs · ideology · standards · convictions · judgment · purity · decency · moral compass
conspicuous
Clearly visible, attention-grabbing
- ostentatiousShowily excessive
- public displayPresentation before onlookers
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
image management · reputation · impression management · identity · in-group · tribal · conformity · social proof · peer pressure · groupthink
- digital culturesocial media, memes, hashtags, viral content, influencers
- insincerityinsincerity, phoniness, fakeness, falseness, pretense
- hypocrisyhypocrisy, hypocrite, sanctimony, two-faced, self-righteousness
- netiquetteread receipts, ghosting, emoji use, typing indicator, privacy settings
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, dog whistle, dogwhistle, fake news
- status seekingname dropping, bragging, showing off, flexing, one-upmanship
virtue signalingskin in the game
Personal risk in outcome
walking the talk · boots on the ground · rolling up one's sleeves · direct action