Moral Fragility Cycle

MFC

Definition

A recurring pattern where moral positions, once established, become increasingly brittle and vulnerable to collapse. The cycle operates through excessive certainty, defensive overreach, and eventual delegitimisation.

Example

A moral position starts reasonable, becomes dogmatic in defense, overextends to absurd cases, faces backlash, and collapses—often replaced by its opposite. The cycle then repeats.

Source

MFC Section 1

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Related Terms from Moral Fragility Cycles

Moral Position Instability

Defensive Overreach

Moral Certainty Trap

Backlash Dynamics

Moral Authority Fragility

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Moral Fragility Cycles