Conscience Flashcards
What is Aquinas’ theory of natural law?
Aquinas’ natural law theory states that God is the source of morality, and human conscience involves understanding and applying natural moral law through reason.
How does Aquinas define conscience?
Conscience is the practical reason that allows individuals to make moral judgments and apply natural law.
What is the difference between theoretical and practical reason in Aquinas’ philosophy?
Theoretical reason is about knowing abstract truths, while practical reason (practica ratio) involves applying knowledge to real-life moral decisions.
What is synderesis in Aquinas’ theory?
Synderesis is the innate human habit or ability to recognize fundamental moral principles, leading to an orientation toward the good.
What is the synderesis rule?
The synderesis rule states that “the good is what all things seek as their telos,” meaning human nature is innately directed toward good.
What are primary precepts according to Aquinas?
Primary precepts are fundamental moral principles that reflect human nature’s orientation toward the good.
Why does Aquinas argue that primary precepts are infallible?
Aquinas claims primary precepts are infallible because they align with God’s will; however, people may still make mistakes in applying them.
What is conscientia in Aquinas’ theory?
Conscientia is an individual’s ability to apply reason in making moral judgments, which can sometimes lead to mistakes.
Why does Aquinas emphasize prudence in moral decision-making?
Prudence is crucial because it ensures not only understanding moral principles but also their correct application to specific situations.
What are the three intellectual skills required for prudence?
Understanding
Judgment
Good deliberation
What is vincible ignorance?
Vincible ignorance is a lack of knowledge for which a person is responsible, making them blameworthy.
What is invincible ignorance?
Invincible ignorance is a lack of knowledge for which a person is not responsible, as it was beyond their control to know better.
How does Aquinas view the relationship between knowledge and consent?
Informed consent requires proper knowledge; therefore, a lack of knowledge can impact moral responsibility.
What are the three functions of conscience in relation to guilt?
Witness – Knowing whether one has performed an action.
Bind & Incite – Judging whether something should be done or avoided.
Accuse, Torment & Rebuke – Feeling guilt when something is judged as morally wrong.
What is a major criticism of Aquinas’ optimistic view of human nature?
Critics argue that human history, including events like Nazism, suggests human nature is not inherently good.
How does Aquinas respond to the criticism regarding human evil?
Aquinas acknowledges that humans can fail to do good due to original sin, mistakes in reasoning, lack of virtue, or corrupt cultures.
What is descriptive moral relativism, and how does it challenge Aquinas’ view?
Descriptive moral relativism states that moral beliefs vary across cultures, suggesting there is no universal moral law.
How do universal moral similarities support Aquinas’ theory?
Despite cultural differences, common moral values such as prohibitions against murder and theft suggest an innate moral orientation.
How does Karl Barth criticize Aquinas’ reliance on reason?
Barth argues that Aquinas’ natural law theory overemphasizes human reason, making divine revelation seem unnecessary.
How does Freud’s approach to conscience differ from Aquinas’?
Freud provides a psychological explanation of conscience, seeing it as a product of internalized parental and societal prohibitions.
What are the three components of Freud’s psyche?
Id – Instinctive impulses seeking pleasure.
Ego – The rational mediator between the id and societal expectations.
Super-ego – Internalized societal and parental moral standards.
How does Freud describe the id and libido?
The id seeks pleasure, and libido is a key driving force behind human instincts, particularly sexual impulses.
What is the role of the ego in Freud’s model?
The ego mediates between the id’s desires and the demands of social reality.
What is the super-ego, and how does it develop?
The super-ego internalizes societal and parental moral standards, often creating feelings of guilt.
How does Freud’s theory relate to socialization?
Freud argues that socialization requires controlling the id, a process that occurs through different developmental stages.
What is the Oedipus complex?
The Oedipus complex is Freud’s idea that boys subconsciously desire their mothers and wish to replace their fathers.
How does Freud link guilt to the Oedipus complex?
Freud believes guilt originates from repressed desires and collective memory of past human behaviors.
What is Karl Popper’s main criticism of Freud’s theory?
Popper argues Freud’s theory is unscientific because it is unfalsifiable—there is no way to prove it wrong.
How does Piaget’s research support some of Freud’s ideas?
Piaget found that young children’s morality is shaped by authority figures before they develop independent moral reasoning.
How does Aquinas’ natural law theory avoid Freud’s critique?
Aquinas argues that moral law engages human rationality and is not merely imposed externally.
How does Freud view religion’s role in moral development?
Freud sees religion as a tool for repressing antisocial instincts, which was historically useful but is now outdated.
What does Freud mean by calling religious morality “primitive and childish”?
Freud believes religious moral systems rely on guilt and fear rather than rational self-control, making them less effective.
Why does Freud think a secular society would be better than a religious one?
Freud argues that secular societies promote better self-control without relying on guilt-based religious teachings.
