Conscience

Question 1

Conscience 2 main views

Answer 1

Religious people see conscience as something which must be obeyed but others suggest it doesn’t refer to any absolute moral truths and it may be caused by psychological, sociological or evolutionary factors

Question 2

Religious views:

Saint Paul

Answer 2

Believes it was the voice of god and his law is ‘written on their hearts’.its a part of human nature given to us by god and deep down each of us know what is right or wrong

Question 3

Augustine:

Answer 3

Saw conscience as a recognition of divine law we recognise all the good acts which we felt proud of are nothing to our own inadequacies.

Question 4

Aquinas

Answer 4

Believes it’s not innate but our own moral decision based on reason. Synderesis is used to fulfil our purpose. Any act that contributed to these precepts must be good so it’s possible to make mistakes in our reasoning which is why people acting on conscience might reach difference conclusions - we refer to the bible & hierarchy of law to confirm e.g. Pop on homosexuals

Question 5

Evaluation of aquinas

Answer 5

Problem is many think natural law is legalistic &results in suffering but it does explain why we reach different conclusions but all aquinas is saying is other people are wrong if they don’t agree with me! Some may base their reasoning on different reasons