peccability

A student acknowledges their peccability by correcting a mistake in their homework.

Definition

Peccability (noun): The state or quality of being capable of sinning or committing moral transgressions; the capacity for error or wrongdoing.

Usage Examples

• (The belief that humans have the inherent ability to commit moral wrongs.)
• (Scholars discuss if Jesus could sin.)
• (Her persistent feeling of guilt arose from knowing she could make mistakes.)

Advanced Usage

• "Peccability of human nature": a philosophical or theological concept referring to the inherent vulnerability of humans to moral failure.
  • The philosopher argued that the peccability of human nature is what makes moral choices meaningful. (The capacity to sin gives weight to ethical decisions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Peccable (adj): capable of sinning; prone to error.
  • No human is perfect; we are all peccable beings. (All humans can commit sins.)
• Impeccability (n): the quality of being without sin or error; the opposite of peccability.
  • The dogma of papal impeccability states that the Pope is preserved from error in certain doctrinal pronouncements. (The Pope is considered free from sin in specific contexts.)

Synonyms

• Sinfulness: the state of being inclined to sin.
• Fallibility: the tendency to make mistakes or be wrong.
• Moral weakness: a lack of strength to resist temptation.

Related Idioms

• To err is human: a common saying that acknowledges human peccability.
  • He forgave her mistake, saying, "To err is human." (Mistakes are a natural part of being human.)