Amoralists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who hold a position of indifference toward moral principles
2. Those who reject the distinction between right and wrong in ethical discourse
3. Thinkers who argue against the relevance of morality in human actions or societal norms

Etymology: "Amoralists" is the plural of "amoralist," a noun that combines "amoral" with the suffix "-ist," meaning a person who follows or holds a particular doctrine or practice. The suffix is a long-standing one in English, used to form names for adherents of beliefs (such as "moralist" itself), so the new word reads as one who practises or holds the stance of "amoral." The adjective "amoral" carries the root of "moral" with the negating prefix "a-," from Greek, meaning "without." Its meaning has shifted in use: many readers take "amoral" to mean wicked or unscrupulous, but its original sense is simply outside the realm of moral judgement, neither moral nor immoral. That neutral sense is why "amoralist" describes someone who dismisses the whole framework of right and wrong, rather than someone who commits bad acts.

Synonyms: nihilist, skeptic

Antonyms: moralist, ethicist