1.
just cause, righteous cause, principle
A moral or ethical principle that justifies an action, especially one involving sacrifice or conflict. Often used in political, military, and historical contexts to describe the higher purpose behind an action.
Usage
Often appears in the four-character compound 大義名分 (just cause, moral justification). This compound is especially common and means the publicly stated reason or moral justification for an action. Without 大義名分, an action is seen as lacking legitimacy.
Common collocations
- 大義名分: just cause, moral justification
- 大義のために: for the sake of a just cause
- 大義を掲げる: to champion a cause
- 大義を失う: to lose one's moral justification
Etymology
In Japanese history, 大義名分 was a key Confucian concept used to justify political actions, including the overthrow of the shogunate during the Meiji Restoration.