Conscience Flashcards
Define ‘conscience’
A person’s moral sense of right & wrong, viewed as acting as a guide into one’s behaviour.
What is Augustine’s view of conscience?
Augustine believes that the conscience is simply the voice of God, telling us what is right & wrong.
“…in whose…”
Augustine
“…in whose conscience God does not speak?”
Augustine - God’s voice is in everyone.
Romans 2:15
‘the requirements of the law are written on our hearts’
Why did Augustine claim conscience isn’t enough to make one virtuous? What else do we need?
Because of original sin, we are all born sinners who desire to sin.
We also need God’s grace.
What does Augustine’s theory of conscience fail to explain?
Why different people’s consciences tell them different things - if it was God, wouldn’t it be universal?
E.g. someone raised as a Nazi believe they are acting right due to propaganda.
Is conscience subjective?
What other philosopher believed conscience was the voice of God?
What quote shows this?
Fredrich Schleiermacher
“…as the voice of God within…an original revelation of God”
What did Schleiermacher say was a sin & why?
It is a sin to go against one’s conscience as it should take priority over all other forms of morality as God is actively working though it.
What 3 functions does St Paul argue the conscience has?
A God-given capacity to exercise self-evaluation.
A witness to something.
A servant of the individuals value system.
St Paul’s idea of a seared conscience is what?
1 Timothy 4:2
Refers to a conscience that has become desensitised to moral wrongdoing, so they no longer feel guilt or remorse - numb to the consequences of immoral behaviour.
“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” 1 Timothy 4:2
What is the greek term Paul used for conscience?
Suneidesis
- literally means ‘knowing with’, a co-knowledge with oneself or being one’s own witness.
How does Cardinal Newman describe conscience?
‘the voice of God in the nature and heart of man, as distinct from the voice of Revelation.’
What does Newman say about those whose consciences’ go against the Bible or the Church’s teachings?
As long as they are following the voice of God within, and not a ‘mean, ungenerous spirit’, they will be morally right.
Newman says the conscience can be wrong, how can this be if it is the voice of God?
Due human mistake or misunderstanding/interpretation.
How did Cardinal Newman believe people could improve their ability to hear God’s voice?
By going to mass, observing sacraments & attending sermons.
How did Newman additionally describe conscience?
As a ‘law of the mind’.
Not as commandments or set of rules but a clear indication of what is right.
On the other hand, what view of conscience did Butler take?
He took the view that the conscience is the principle of reason.
It is the God-given ability to reason.
What does our conscience allow us to do according to Butler?
It allows us to act as a moral judge, an ability to use reason to reflect on actions.
How did Butler describe conscience in a deontological way?
What does this mean?
‘fixed, steady and unmovable’
It means conscience should be followed universally.
What is Aquinas’ belief about the nature of the conscience?
The conscience & the ability to reason are the same thing.
It is the process that allows us to practice the synderesis principle.
Define synderesis
An innate knowledge of human nature & primary precepts through practical reason.
What is conscientia?
It is our conscience (reason) making decisions on what secondary precepts to follow & apply that derives from synderesis.
What two reasons does Aquinas’ argue can make the conscience fallible?
The conscience is ignorant of secondary precepts.
The conscience isn’t inform about the facts of the situation so they can apply secondary precepts.
According to Aquinas (& Butler) why should the conscience always be followed?
“what the conscience dictates is true to the individual concerned, and truth must be followed.”
Truth comes from God, so to go against your conscience is to go against God.
Strengths of Aquinas’ view
It is realistic - he says the conscience is fallible as it can go astray following apparent goods.
Emphasis on the use of reason - allows us to make a freely chosen decision.
Weaknesses of Aquinas’ view
Ignores the fact large numbers of people act irrationally - not because they’re blinded by desires, but because their reasoning powers are limited.
Assumes we’re all aware of the synderesis principle - many may argue lots follow self-interest.
What is Aquinas’ concept of the ‘erring’ conscience?
The conscience may ‘err’ in two ways:
Vincibly - through their own fault.
Invincibly - through no fault of their own.
How does Fletcher view the conscience that is unlike any of the other thinkers?
He sees the conscience as a verb rather than a noun - ‘consciencing’.
The conscience is the process by which we work out the rule of love & follow the Agapeic Principle.
Explain how the situation of the female spy on the plane is relevant to Fletcher’s view of conscience?
She had the opportunity to sleep with an enemy solider to learn info that could lead to the end of the war.
But, casual sex was against her morals. She asked Fletcher what she should do.
Her conscience would tell her that it is right to do this, despite going against her morals, it was the most loving thing to do.
