Amoral vs. Immoral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 4, 2023
Amoral means lacking moral awareness; Immoral signifies acting against moral principles.
Difference Between Amoral and Immoral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Amoral and Immoral, though similar sounding, carry distinct meanings in the realm of ethics and morality. Amoral refers to the absence or lack of moral judgment, either because it's irrelevant to the situation or the entity lacks the capacity for such judgment. Immoral, on the other hand, denotes actions, behaviors, or attitudes that go against accepted moral standards or principles.
A person, action, or decision characterized as Amoral doesn't necessarily suggest good or bad intent. It merely indicates an indifference or non-recognition of moral codes. Immoral, contrastingly, directly implies a violation of ethical norms, often accompanied by a negative or malicious intent.
For instance, a machine or a natural phenomenon can be considered Amoral because they act without consciousness or moral discernment. Immoral actions, meanwhile, are willful deviations made by entities capable of moral reasoning but choose to act against it.
Amoral can also describe people who, for whatever reason, are indifferent to moral guidelines, not recognizing them as relevant. Immoral individuals, however, not only recognize these guidelines but intentionally act in defiance of them.
In essence, while Amoral operates in a space devoid of moral judgments, Immoral exists in direct opposition to moral righteousness.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Lacking moral awareness
Acting against moral principles
Intent
Neutral or indifferent to moral standards
Negative or in defiance of moral norms
Application
Often used for entities incapable of moral reasoning
Used for entities that act against ethical standards
Implication
Absence of moral judgment
Violation of moral judgment
Perception
Not necessarily seen as good or bad
Generally perceived as bad or unethical
Compare with Definitions
Amoral
Amoral can mean being neutral to morality.
Nature, in its raw form, is often seen as Amoral.
Immoral
Immoral actions are willful deviations from righteousness.
She was criticized for her Immoral dealings in the business.
Amoral
Amoral suggests an absence of moral consideration.
For some, young children are Amoral, as they haven't yet developed a moral compass.
Immoral
Immoral stands in opposition to moral integrity.
Betraying a friend's trust is an Immoral deed.
Amoral
Amoral does not imply wrongdoing.
Machines operate in an Amoral fashion, without ethical judgment.
Immoral
Immoral means acting against moral principles.
Many consider theft to be an Immoral act.
Amoral
Amoral describes a lack of moral discernment.
Some argue that corporations are inherently Amoral entities.
Immoral
Immoral behaviors defy accepted ethical norms.
Lying and deceit are often seen as Immoral actions.
Amoral
Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something
An amoral attitude to sex
Immoral
Not conforming to accepted standards of morality
Unseemly and immoral behaviour
Amoral
Not admitting of moral distinctions or judgments; neither moral nor immoral.
Immoral
Contrary to established moral principles.
Amoral
Lacking moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong.
Immoral
Breaching principles of natural law, rectitude, or justice, and so inconsistent with the demands of virtue, purity, or "good morals"; not right, not moral. Compare unethical, illegal.
Amoral
(of acts) Neither moral nor immoral.
Immoral
Not moral; inconsistent with rectitude, purity, or good morals; contrary to conscience or the divine law; wicked; unjust; dishonest; vicious; licentious; as, an immoral man; an immoral deed.
Amoral
(of people) Not believing in or caring for morality and immorality.
Immoral
Concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles;
Moral sense
A moral scrutiny
A moral lesson
A moral quandary
Moral convictions
A moral life
Amoral
Without moral standards or principles;
A completely amoral person
Moral sense
A moral scrutiny
A moral lesson
A moral quandary
Moral convictions
A moral life
Immoral
Not adhering to ethical or moral principles;
Base and unpatriotic motives
A base, degrading way of life
Cheating is dishonorable
They considered colonialism immoral
Unethical practices in handling public funds
Amoral
Amoral can denote indifference to ethical guidelines.
His decision was purely practical and Amoral.
Immoral
Morally unprincipled;
Immoral behavior
Immoral
Characterized by wickedness or immorality;
Led a very bad life
Immoral
Marked by immorality; deviating from what is considered right or proper or good;
Depraved criminals
A perverted sense of loyalty
The reprobate conduct of a gambling aristocrat
Immoral
Immoral implies a negative or malicious intent.
His Immoral choices harmed many people.
Common Curiosities
Does Immoral always suggest malicious intent?
Generally, Immoral actions are done in defiance of ethical norms, often implying negative intent.
Can nature be considered Amoral?
Yes, natural events, being devoid of consciousness, are often seen as Amoral.
Can a decision be both Amoral and practical?
Yes, some decisions are made from a practical standpoint without moral consideration, making them Amoral.
Are all unethical actions Immoral?
While context matters, actions that violate accepted moral standards are generally deemed Immoral.
Can an Amoral person recognize morality?
An Amoral individual might recognize morality but sees it as irrelevant to their decisions.
Are all crimes Immoral?
Not necessarily, as legality and morality don't always align.
What does Amoral mean?
Amoral refers to a lack or absence of moral judgment.
Is ignorance an excuse for Immoral behavior?
Ethical views vary, but ignorance doesn't necessarily justify Immoral actions.
How is Immoral defined?
Immoral signifies actions or behaviors that go against accepted moral principles.
Is Amoral the same as bad or wrong?
No, Amoral is neutral and indicates an absence of moral consideration.
Are machines or algorithms Amoral?
Yes, they operate without moral discernment, making them Amoral.
Is being Amoral a choice?
For entities capable of moral reasoning, it can be a choice or result from unawareness.
Can someone's Immoral be another's moral?
Ethical views can vary, so what's deemed Immoral by one might be acceptable to another.
Why is Immoral behavior criticized?
Because it goes against societal norms and ethical principles.
Does Immoral behavior always harm others?
Not always, but Immoral actions often result in harm or injustice.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
