MORAL INERTIA

Abstract

Abstract. The phenomenon of moral inertia is often explained by reference to all‐encompassing features of human nature, such as laziness and cowardice, but in fact it has many causes. A modern person may fail to “stand up” to social evil because he has difficulty seeing it‐perhaps because it is deliberately hidden or because she and her neighbors cannot find ways to recognize and discuss it as a soluble problem. Fourteen factors contributing to moral inertia will be listed here under the headings of cognitive and linguistic factors. Further, a consideration of ideology's role (both liberal and Marxist) in inhibiting action against social evil will be presented.