unconscionable
adjective

- morally unacceptable

- shockingly unfair or unjust or unreasonable

- not guided or controlled by conscience

- something that is almost unimaginably unacceptable

Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster / Vocabulary Com

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "unconscionable" traces back through several linguistic layers:

- Modern English (16th century): unconscionable
- Middle English: unconscionabel
- Latin roots: un- (not) + conscientia (consciousness, moral awareness) + -able (capable of)

The word has maintained its core meaning but expanded from purely moral contexts to legal and general usage, describing anything extremely unreasonable, excessive, or morally reprehensible. In contract law, unconscionable agreements are those so unfair that no reasonable person would agree to them under normal circumstances.

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UNCONSCIONABLE ACTS

Determining the unconscionability of current events involves weighing severe moral and ethical breaches. 

Although perspectives on their severity may vary, here are 5 events worthy of discussion:


1. Ongoing Conflicts and Civilian Suffering: Wars in regions like Ukraine and Gaza continue to cause immense civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction. The targeting of non-combatants and infrastructure raises ethical alarms, with reports of escalating violence and stalled peace efforts highlighting a lack of regard for human life.


2. Climate Inaction Amid Crisis: Despite clear evidence of global warming exceeding 1.5°C targets, many nations and corporations delay meaningful action. Extreme heatwaves, as noted in U.S. forecasts, and rising emissions from industrial activities reflect an unconscionable disregard for future generations.


3. Inequitable Global Health Access: While breakthroughs like malaria vaccines show progress, disparities persist. The Taliban’s bans on women’s healthcare in Afghanistan and uneven distribution of medical resources globally underscore a failure to prioritize human welfare equally.


4. Corruption and Power Abuse: Instances of political corruption, such as police bribe incentives in Russia or controversial extraditions like Ecuador’s drug kingpin case, suggest systemic exploitation of power, undermining justice and public trust.


5. Economic Inequality and Exploitation: Rising concerns over wealth gaps, as seen in Argentina and Peru, coupled with exploitative labor practices (e.g., unconscionable contracts), reflect a growing divide where the vulnerable are increasingly oppressed.


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SYNONYMS

appalling, atrocious, beyond belief (comprehension, reason, the bounds of decency, the pale), callous, contemptible, disgraceful, egregious, execrable, flagrantly unfair, grotesque, heartless, heinous, ignoble, immoral, indefensible, inexcusable, loathsome, monstrous, morally reprehensible, nefarious, objectionable, outrageous, preposterous, reprehensible, scandalous, shameful, UNCONSCIONABLE, unjust, unwarranted, wanton, wicked, without scruples

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“History shows that UNCONSCIONABLE practices can be overturned when enough people offer enough resistance.”

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