A moral alignment chart is a simple 3x3 grid with opposing forces on two axes—good vs. evil, and lawful vs. chaotic. It is a system commonly used to categorize characters, concepts, or even real-world entities based on their ethical and moral standing.
Understanding the Axes
The alignment chart operates on two primary axes, each representing a spectrum of behavior:
-
Law vs. Chaos:
- Lawful: Adheres to rules, traditions, honor, or a personal code. Values order, structure, and predictability.
- Neutral: Represents a balance between law and chaos, or indifference to both.
- Chaotic: Values freedom, spontaneity, and independence. May disregard rules or traditions.
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Good vs. Evil:
- Good: Acts altruistically, helps others, and opposes harm. Values compassion, kindness, and justice.
- Neutral: Represents a balance between good and evil, or indifference to both. Acts based on self-interest or pragmatism without a strong inclination towards helping or harming others.
- Evil: Acts selfishly, harms others, and opposes goodness. Values cruelty, destruction, or oppression.
The Nine Alignments
Combining the options from both axes creates nine distinct moral alignments:
- Lawful Good: Crusader, acts with honor and compassion.
- Neutral Good: Benefactor, does the right thing as they see it.
- Chaotic Good: Rebel, follows their conscience, even if it means breaking rules.
- Lawful Neutral: Judge, acts according to law, tradition, or personal code without strong moral leanings.
- True Neutral: Undecided, acts based on the situation or personal interest, or seeks balance.
- Chaotic Neutral: Free Spirit, acts randomly or based on whim; values freedom above all.
- Lawful Evil: Dominator, uses rules and order to achieve evil ends.
- Neutral Evil: Malefactor, acts purely out of self-interest with no regard for others.
- Chaotic Evil: Destroyer, acts impulsively to harm others and spread chaos.
Visual Representation
The 3x3 grid is the standard visual representation:
| Lawful | Neutral | Chaotic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Lawful Good | Neutral Good | Chaotic Good |
| Neutral | Lawful Neutral | True Neutral | Chaotic Neutral |
| Evil | Lawful Evil | Neutral Evil | Chaotic Evil |
Practical Applications
As the reference mentions, this chart can be used to categorize a wide variety of subjects. Challenge your team to use the nine boxes on the grid to categorize anything that comes to mind:
- Comic book characters
- K-pop boy bands
- Different design approaches
- Project objectives
It serves as a fun and insightful tool for discussing and understanding motivations, behaviors, and ethical stances in various contexts.
