i Register
In some senses, oughtness is marked as rare. Watch for register when choosing this word.
oughtness
noun 3
Collocations
3VERB + OUGHTNESS
attempt, derive, sense
OUGHTNESS + NOUN
rightness
PREP.
from
Definitions
noun
1
In ethics, the quality which makes an action dutiful or morally obligatory.
Every attempt to derive oughtness from rightness must, as we have shown, either end in an illogical system or destroy the possibility of a separate science of Ethics at all.
Oughtness, may I suggest, consists in the power which a greater good has over a lesser good in compelling our choices.
2
The state or characteristic of something's being as it ought to be; rightness.
3
The obligatoriness of future actions or future states of affairs which are morally worthy of being produced through human effort.
I refuse to accept the idea that the "isness" of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal "oughtness" that forever confronts him.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
301
Every attempt to derive oughtness from rightness must, as we have shown, either end in an illogical system or destroy the possibility of a separate science of Ethics at all.
Wiktionary02
Oughtness, may I suggest, consists in the power which a greater good has over a lesser good in compelling our choices.
Wiktionary03
Combining the reality of politics with a sense of "oughtness" creates a sense of duty to the collective.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars