morality

views updated

mo·ral·i·ty / məˈralətē; mô-/ • n. (pl. -ties) principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. ∎  behavior as it is affected by the observation of these principles: the past few years have seen a sharp decline in morality. ∎  a particular system of values and principles of conduct, esp. one held by a specified person or society: a bourgeois morality. ∎  the extent to which an action is right or wrong: behind all the arguments lies the issue of the morality of the possession of nuclear weapons. ∎  behavior or qualities judged to be good: they saw the morality of equal pay.

More From encyclopedia.com