Definition
When harmful defaults become entrenched through dependencies, network effects, or contracts that block reform. Moral lock-in is prevented by moral feature gating, contestability, and vigilant moral drift control.
Patterns
Moral Lock-In
Glossary entry in System patterns & anti-patterns. Definitions, checks, and evidence for Moral Lock-In.
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Quick takeaways
When harmful defaults become entrenched through dependencies, network effects, or contracts that block reform.
Copy citation (APA/BibTeX)
Cite this glossary entry Formats: APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS
APA
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. (2026). Moral Lock-In. Ethotechnics glossary. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/moral-lock-in
MLA
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Moral Lock-In." Ethotechnics glossary, 2026, https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/moral-lock-in.
Chicago
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Moral Lock-In." Ethotechnics glossary. Jan 9, 2026. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/moral-lock-in.
BibTeX
@misc{glossary_moral-lock-in,
title={Moral Lock-In},
author={Ethotechnics Institute Research Team},
year={2026},
howpublished={Ethotechnics glossary},
url={https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/moral-lock-in},
version={v1.1.0}
}
RIS
TY - WEB TI - Moral Lock-In AU - Ethotechnics Institute Research Team PY - 2026 UR - https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/moral-lock-in ER -