Character Trait: Amoral

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Amoral refers to a person or a character who lacks a moral sense or ethical principles. This means that they are not concerned with what is right or wrong and are indifferent to the consequences of their actions. An amoral character does not feel guilty for doing something that is considered morally wrong and may act in their own self-interest, regardless of the impact on others. It is important to note that an amoral character is different from an immoral one, as the latter acknowledges the existence of moral principles but chooses to disregard them.

Possible causes of being amoral

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Exposure to environments that encourage amoral behavior, such as certain industries or social circles
• Lack of moral guidance or upbringing
• Narcissistic or sociopathic tendencies
• Pursuit of personal gain or power at any cost
• Inability to empathize or understand the impact of their actions on others
• Traumatic experiences or abuse
• Belief in moral relativism or rejection of traditional morality

For detailed feedback on amoral characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative evaluation tool.

Behaviors associated with being amoral

You may be able to show your character's trait of amoral by using these.

• Acting solely for personal gain, without regard for ethical or moral principles
• Engaging in behaviors that are harmful to others without remorse
• Engaging in illegal or unethical activities without remorse
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's actions
• Manipulating others for personal gain
• Ignoring or disregarding the feelings and well-being of others
• Lying or deceiving others to achieve personal goals
• Showing no empathy or compassion for others

Attitudes associated with being amoral

You may be able to show amoral through their attitudes.

• Absence of a moral code or ethical framework
• Focus on personal gain or self-interest, rather than altruistic motives
• Lack of concern for what is considered right or wrong
• Tendency to prioritize individual needs and desires over those of others
• Belief that morality is subjective and varies from person to person or situation to situation
• Indifference towards moral principles and social norms
• Willingness to act without regard for the consequences or impact on others

Thoughts and struggles associated with being amoral

Here are some ideas for things your amoral character may think or struggle with.

• Rationalizing immoral actions as necessary or justified
• Feeling disconnected or isolated from others due to their behavior or beliefs
• Struggling with guilt or shame but ultimately justifying or dismissing their behavior
• Prioritizing personal gain or pleasure over moral principles
• Difficulty understanding or adhering to societal norms and rules
• Lack of empathy or concern for others' feelings or well-being
• Potential for impulsivity and recklessness in pursuit of their desires
• Questioning the concept of morality and whether it truly exists or matters

Emotions associated with being amoral

Here are some ideas for emotions your amoral character may experience.

• Disrespect for authority and rules
• Self-centeredness and egocentrism
• Lack of guilt or remorse
• Willingness to engage in unethical or immoral actions
• Indifference towards the feelings of others
• Lack of empathy towards others
• No concern for right or wrong
• Tendency to manipulate others for personal gain
• Disregard for societal norms and laws

Facial expressions associated with being amoral

Here are some facial expressions your amoral character may exhibit.

• A cold or calculating gaze when making decisions
• A shrug or dismissive gesture when asked about the consequences of their behavior
• A lack of empathy or concern in the eyes
• A relaxed or casual posture when discussing unethical actions
• A smug or self-satisfied smirk
• A blank or expressionless face
• A raised eyebrow or half-smile to show amusement at others' misfortune
• A sneer or curl of the lip when confronted with moral objections

Body language associated with being amoral

Here is some body language your amoral character may exhibit.

• Speaking in a monotone or indifferent voice
• Crossing arms or legs in a defensive posture
• Making decisions based solely on personal gain or benefit
• Exhibiting a lack of remorse or guilt for negative actions
• Smiling without showing genuine emotion
• Fidgeting or restlessness
• Lack of eye contact or avoiding eye contact
• Exhibiting a lack of empathy or concern for others
• Being nonchalant or indifferent towards others' feelings

For detailed feedback on amoral characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative evaluation tool.

Behaviors associated with being amoral

Here are some behaviors your amoral character may exhibit.

• Lying or deceiving others to achieve personal goals
• Manipulating others for personal gain
• Showing no empathy or compassion for others
• Engaging in illegal or unethical activities without remorse
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's actions
• Engaging in behaviors that are harmful to others without remorse
• Acting solely for personal gain, without regard for ethical or moral principles
• Ignoring or disregarding the feelings and well-being of others

Growth and evolution of amoral characters

Here are some ways that your amoral character may grow and evolve over time.

• Forming new alliances or relationships that challenge their worldview
• Becoming aware of the consequences of their actions
• Facing the consequences of their past actions and seeking redemption
• Learning to value relationships and connections
• Learning from the mistakes of others and avoiding repeating them
• Struggling with inner conflicts and moral dilemmas
• Realizing the importance of moral principles and ethical considerations
• Developing empathy towards others
• Finding a purpose or a cause that is greater than themselves
• Overcoming their own biases and prejudices
• Questioning their own beliefs and values

Stereotypes of amoral characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical amoral character like these examples.

• Avoid making your amoral character too similar to other amoral characters in popular media, as this can make them feel unoriginal or uninspired.
• Avoid making your amoral character completely devoid of any redeeming qualities or motivations.
• Avoid making your amoral character too focused on one specific goal or objective, as this can make them seem one-dimensional.
• Avoid making your amoral character too simplistic or stereotypical based on their behavior or actions.
• Avoid making your amoral character too evil or sadistic for the sake of being shocking or edgy, as this can come across as gratuitous or tasteless.
• Avoid making your amoral character a one-dimensional villain or antagonist.
• Avoid making your amoral character too predictable or formulaic.
• Avoid making your amoral character too passive or reactive to the story's events.
• Avoid making your amoral character too detached or emotionless, as this can make it hard for readers to connect with them.

Negatives of being amoral

Here are some potential negatives of being amoral. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Amoral characters may struggle with forming meaningful relationships due to their lack of moral compass.
• They may be prone to selfish behavior and disregard the well-being of others.
• They may be willing to harm or exploit others for their own gain without feeling guilty.
• Amoral characters may lack empathy and disregard the feelings of others.
• Amoral characters may struggle with making ethical decisions or understanding the consequences of their actions.

Positives of being amoral

Here are some potential positives of being amoral. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Amoral characters can be unpredictable and keep the audience engaged.
• They are not bound by traditional moral codes, which allows for more creative and unconventional storytelling.
• Amoral characters can be complex and multi-dimensional, adding depth to the story.
• They can challenge the audience's own moral beliefs and values, leading to thought-provoking discussions.

Verbal expressions of amoral characters

Here are some potential expressions used by amoral characters.

• Treating others as means to an end rather than individuals with inherent value
• Rationalizing harmful behavior as "just the way things are"
• Ignoring moral principles in decision-making
• Lying or manipulating others for personal benefit
• Justifying harmful behavior as necessary for personal gain
• Believing that the ends justify the means
• Refusing to take responsibility for the consequences of one's actions
• Not feeling guilty or remorseful for unethical actions

Relationships of amoral characters

Here are some ways that being amoral could affect your character's relationships.

• May be charismatic and charming in order to gain trust and control over others
• Manipulative and deceptive behavior to achieve their own goals
• Difficulty establishing meaningful connections or maintaining long-term relationships due to their disregard for morals and ethics
• Lack of empathy towards others, leading to selfish and uncaring behavior
• Tendency to seek out relationships with other amoral individuals who share their values and behaviors
• Tendency to exploit vulnerabilities or weaknesses in others for personal gain
• Tendency to use people for their own benefit without regard for their feelings or well-being

Examples from books of characters who are amoral

• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Jack Torrance from "The Shining" by Stephen King
• Amy Dunne from "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
• Tom Ripley from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith
• Lord Voldemort from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Annie Wilkes from "Misery" by Stephen King
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Joffrey Baratheon from "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin

Writing exercises for writing amoral characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write amoral characters.

• Imagine a scenario where the character must choose between their own self-interest and the greater good.
• Write a monologue from the character's perspective that justifies their amoral behavior.
• Create a backstory that explains why the character has developed an amoral worldview.
• Create a situation where the character must manipulate or deceive others to achieve their goals.
• Imagine a scenario where the character must confront the consequences of their actions, and write their reaction.
• Write a dialogue between the character and a moral character, highlighting their conflicting values.
• Write a scene where the character is faced with a moral dilemma and intentionally chooses the immoral option.
• Write a scene where the character shows no remorse or guilt for their immoral actions.
• Write a scene where the character is presented with an opportunity to do the right thing, but intentionally chooses not to.