1 Libertarianism and Conscience Flashcards
What is the Greek word used to describe the conscience in the New Testament?
Synderisis
What did Aquinas believe conscience is?
A device for distinguishing right and wrong using reason. “It is the reason making moral judgements”
Aquinas argued there are two parts to making a moral decision, what are they?
Synderisis and conscienta
What is synderisis?
Right reason, the awareness of the moral principle to do good and avoid evil.
What is conscienta?
This distinguishes between right and wrong and applies knowledge to make the moral decisions.
Who said: “Conscience doesn’t keep you from doing anything wrong; just from enjoying it”
King Stanislas I
Who believed that conscience was within the centre of the soul?
St Paul
Where was this written in the Bible/who by: ‘They can demonstrate the effects of the law engraved on their hearts, to which their own conscience bears witness’
Romans 2:15
Who believes in the synderisis rule - that by nature humans want to do good and avoid evil?
Aquinas
Why does Aquinas believe some people do evil deeds?
By mistake - they pursued an apparent good and not a real good - their consciences were mistaken.
Who said: ‘if a man sleeps with another man’s wife, this is evil based on ignorance of a divine law he ought to know, but if he thought the woman was really his own wife and she wants him then his will is free from fault’
Aquinas
Who wrote Summa Theologica
Aquinas
Who thinks conscience is ‘reason making right decisions’
Aquinas
Who says that synderisis is a special habit given to us by nature?
Aquinas
Who says conscience is: ‘ a principle of reflection in men by which they distinguish between approval and disapproval of their own actions’
Butler
Who believed humans were influenced by self love and benevolence (love of others)
Butler
What does Butler think conscience drives us towards?
Benevolence (and away from focusing on ourselves.)
Who believes conscience is God-given, innate, has ultimate authority and gives us instant intuitive judgements?
Butler
Who thinks conscience should be obeyed unquestioningly?
Butler
Who says conscience is “our natural guide assigned us by the Author of our nature, … it is our duty to walk in that path”
Butler - conscience is God given and it is our duty to follow it.
Why do the Catholic Church tend towards Aquinas’ view rather than Butler?
Because obeyed conscience unquestioningly could justify all acts. Aquinas view means there is a possibility of error where conscience directs people to go against the law of God through ignorance.
Who said that conscience can never motivate you to do something that goes against what is morally right?
Aquinas
Who thinks to follow conscience is to follow a divine law as it is a messenger from God
cardinal John Henry Newman
Who said ‘I toast the Pope, but I toast conscience first’
cardinal John Henry Newman
Who said: ‘all are bound to follow their conscience faithfully in every activity so they may come to God’
Flannery
Who said: ‘the individual must not be forced to act against their conscience nor be prevented from acting according to conscience, especially in religious matters.’
Flannery
What does Freud believe the ego does
Takes into account the realities of the world and society, use reason and compassion to make decisions.
What does Freud think the super-ego is
The internal anger and disapproval of others due to doing things to please superiors/for praise when younger.
Who thinks that free will can be restricted due to guilt/guilty conscience
Freud - he thinks this overcomes reasoning to stop us acting as we freely would.
Who says: ‘Butler exalts conscience, but appears ignorant that a man’s conscience may tell him to do the vilest things.’
Anscombe
What does Fromm think about conscience?
It’s the voice of our true selves which helps us:
Live productively.
Develop fully.
What does Macquarrie think about conscience?
It is a “built in monitor of moral action”
What does Freud say conscience is? (Guilt/rejection)
“The internal perception of the rejection of a wish operating within us”
How does Aquinas’ version of conscience fit with libertarianism?
As it can never motivate us to do morally wrong this could link with lib, as it curtails us for the good for ourselves/society and links with Mill’s harm principle.
How does Butler’s view of conscience fit with lib?
It curtails as it is a duty, should obey unquestioningly, have no choice otherwise. However a lib might think it is your choice to follow conc as a duty.
How does Paul/Augustine/Butler view of conscience fit with lib?
What are the implications if you don’t follow your conc? Also if conc is innate, it could curtail us on a subconscious level, we think we’re freely choosing something but our conc is guiding/influencing us.
Where does Gorsky say the conscience appears in the Bible, although not labelled?
Joseph deciding not to sleep with Potiphar’s wife
