5 Moral Spectrums

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The Five Spectrums

Care vs. Harm

Care

Values actions that prioritize the well-being, compassion, and protection of others.

Harm

Prioritizes self-interest even at the expense of others, or accepts that causing harm is a necessary part of life.

Fairness vs. Cheating

Fairness

Values actions that are just, equitable, and treat everyone according to the same set of rules.

Cheating

Values actions that are dishonest or bend the rules in order to gain a personal or group advantage.

Loyalty vs. Betrayal

Loyalty

Values actions that demonstrate commitment, faithfulness, and solidarity with one's in-group (family, nation, team).

Betrayal

Prioritizes other values (like fairness or self-interest) over group loyalty, even if it means breaking trust with one's own side.

Authority vs. Subversion

Authority

Values actions that respect and follow the established rules, traditions, and hierarchies of society.

Subversion

Values actions that challenge, question, or undermine existing authority and structures.

Sanctity vs. Degradation

Sanctity

Values actions and objects they consider pure, holy, or sacred, and avoids things that are seen as contaminating or impure.

Degradation

Rejects notions of sanctity as arbitrary, and may value actions that are profane, scandalous, or challenge the dignity of others.

Using These Spectrums in Your Story

A character's moral compass is rarely simple. The most compelling stories arise when these values are put into conflict with each other.

Creating Internal Conflict

The best drama happens inside a character. Pit two of their cherished values against each other.

Loyalty vs. Fairness: A city guard must choose between arresting her own brother (violating Loyalty) or letting him get away with a crime (violating Fairness).
Care vs. Authority: A doctor must decide whether to follow hospital rules (Authority) or break them to provide a desperate patient with an experimental, unapproved treatment (Care).
Sanctity vs. Subversion: A devout priest discovers a terrible secret about his church. Does he protect its sacred image (Sanctity) or expose the truth and undermine its authority (Subversion)?

Generating External Conflict & Character Foils

Create compelling hero/villain or rival dynamics by making them representatives of opposing moral foundations.

A hero who values Fairness above all else (Captain America) is pitted against a villain who believes in absolute Authority (Red Skull).
A rebel spy who prioritizes Subversion to free her people is forced to work with a military commander who values Loyalty to his nation above all.
A compassionate diplomat who champions Care must negotiate with a ruthless corporate leader who sees acceptable Harm as a necessary cost of doing business.

Building Factions & Societies

Use these spectrums as the foundation for your worldbuilding. A society's laws and customs are a reflection of its dominant moral values.

The Warrior Clan: Values **Loyalty** (to the clan) and **Authority** (of the chieftain) above all else. They may see outsiders' focus on individual fairness as a weakness.
The Merchant's Guild: Prioritizes **Fairness** (in contracts) but may lean towards **Cheating** when it provides an advantage. They have little regard for traditional authority if it impedes trade.
The Holy Order: Built entirely around **Sanctity**. Their entire legal and social code is designed to prevent degradation and impurity, often at the expense of individual care or fairness.