What does moralization mean?
Moralization is the process of making something moral, of encouraging moral conduct, or of viewing conduct through explicit moral standards. It can describe a serious ethical or religious effort to develop character, as in the moralization of education, but it is also used critically when public discussion focuses on what people ought to do rather than on the causes of a problem. The word often carries the implication of moral instruction, sometimes with a connotation of rigidity or self-righteousness. In a broader analytical sense, moralization means interpreting a person’s actions, a cultural practice, or a public issue in terms of virtues, duties, and wrongdoing. It is especially common in academic, religious, political, and cultural commentary. Although closely related to moralism, moralization focuses more on a process or activity, while moralism more often names a rigid approach to morality.
nounThe process of making something moral, or of interpreting actions and situations in terms of moral principles. It can also refer to the act of offering moral instruction or adopting a moralistic attitude.
- The process of making something moral or of developing a moral character.
- The act or practice of giving moral instruction or expressing moral judgment.
- The process of interpreting events or conduct through a moral framework.
"The film was criticized for its moralization of ordinary family relationships."
"The campaign promoted the moralization of public health through personal responsibility."
"Her commentary shifted from an analysis of the policy to a familiar moralization of individual behaviour."
The plural is used for separate processes of making or interpreting something morally, or for multiple instances of moralizing activity.
"The scholars compared several moralizations of economic inequality."
Moralization often appears when society turns a practical question into a test of virtue—and sometimes misses the issue beneath the judgment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does moralization come from?
Moralization is formed from moralize, which is based on moral. The word moral comes through French from Latin moralis, derived from mos, meaning “custom” or “way of life,” and moris, its genitive form. The suffix -ization reflects the process of making or becoming something, so moralization literally suggests the making or development of a moral character or outlook. Its cognate relatives include morality, moralist, and moralism, all reflecting the same broad idea of morals or moral conduct.
Related word forms
How moralization is actually used
Usually formal and sometimes critical, especially when describing an excessive or conspicuous effort to impose moral standards. In British spelling, it is often written moralisation; American spelling generally uses moralization.
Easily confused with moralization
Moralization is the process of making something or someone moral, whereas moralism is a strict reliance on moral rules, often in a rigid or self-righteous way.
Moralization names a process or activity, while moralising usually describes the activity or attitude of giving moral lessons or expressing disapproval on moral grounds.