moral dimension

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformal

   The aspect of a situation or decision that concerns right and wrong behavior.

   Grammar: Often used with the: the moral dimension of the problem.

   Patterns

   • the moral dimension of something
   • have a moral dimension
   • add a moral dimension to something

   The debate about the new law has an important moral dimension.

   Climate policy has a moral dimension because it affects future generations.

   Her book explores the moral dimension of medical decisions.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   A way of judging something by ethical standards rather than practical or legal ones.

   Grammar: Countable; you can talk about one moral dimension or several moral dimensions.

   Patterns

   • consider the moral dimension
   • ignore the moral dimension

   The report considers the economic and moral dimensions of the war.

   Critics say the plan ignores the moral dimension of the issue.

Word forms

Common combinations

the moral dimension of a decision

We discussed the moral dimension of the decision to cut funding.

have a moral dimension

The question of animal testing has a moral dimension.

add a moral dimension

Her speech added a moral dimension to the discussion.

explore the moral dimension

The film explores the moral dimension of revenge.

Synonyms and how they differ

ethical aspect

Very close in meaning, but ethical aspect sounds slightly more technical and is common in philosophy writing.

moral question

Focuses on the issue itself rather than on one aspect of a larger situation.

Word family

moral adjective

Concerned with right and wrong behavior.

morality noun

Beliefs and principles about right and wrong.

immoral adjective

Behaving in a way that is wrong or unacceptable.

Commonly confused: moral dimension or morale?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “moral dimension”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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