Definition:
Moral posturing is the public expression of ethical positions primarily to signal virtue, identity, or alignment rather than to produce meaningful change.
Usage Context:
Seen in political discourse, corporate messaging, social media, and cultural debates.
Critical Note:
Posturing prioritises appearance over impact. It can crowd out substantive action while granting reputational benefit to those least affected by the issue.
Related Terms:
Virtue Signalling, Legitimacy Laundering, Cultural Capture