Conscience (ethics) Flashcards
What are the two approaches to conscience called? who are the corresponding scholars
- Theological - Aquinas
- Psychological - Freud
Who is the theological approach based on?
+ dates
Thomas Aquinas 13th Century theologian
What did Aquinas argue about conscience (e.g. where it comes from + what it does)
- The God-given ability to reason, reason leads to knowledge of synderesis
What quote did Aquinas call conscience?
- “dictate of reason”
What are the 7 main words for Aquinas’ conscience? + Meaning
- Synderesis –> God-given innate awareness of good and bad - cannot be mistaken “do good, avoid evil”
- Conscientia –> Acting upon information given by synderesis - Evil to not follow
- Ratio –> use of reason (theoretical [intellectual] and practical [synderesis] to achieve telos)
- Vincible ignorance –> culpable, ignorance we are responsible for
- Invincible ignorance –> non-culpable, ignorance we are not responsible for
- Casuistry –> applying moral principles for particular cases
- Prudence –> virtue that helps us balance our own needs with others needs - allows to reason knowledge of synderesis - Aquinas most important virtue
2 quotes for Conscientia
- Acting upon information given by synderesis
–> “application of knowledge to activity” - Evil to not follow
–> “Conscience is binding”
How can prudence effect conscientia
- Conscience may be mistaken is we haven’t acquired virtue of prudence properly
- Leads to a breakdown in communication between synderesis and conscientia
Erring conscience
- Means you are mistaken or unsure about the course of action
- May lead you to pursue an apparent good rather than real good
–> Does not lead to human flourishing (eudomaonia) - Only blame worthy if derived from vincible ignorance
What are Aquinas’ two types of ignorance?
- Invincible ignorance –> non-culpable ignorance, factors beyond your control
- Vincible ignorance –> Culpable ignorance, factors within the realm of your duty to be knowledgeable of
Should Aquinas conscience be applied before or after an action?
- Applied before an action –> can be backwards looking e.g. feelings of guilt ‘reatus’ or satisfaction
Who is the Psychological approach based on? + dates
- Sigmond Freud
- Mid 19th-10th Century psychologist
What belief are Freuds theories on conscience based off?
That conscience is a result of the conditioning of a growing being
How did Freud believe the conscience was split?
Into 3 parts
- ID
- Ego
- Super-ego
ID definition
- Driven by pleasure principles; seeks immediate gratification
- Libido is central - drives the id to desire sexual gratificatio
Ego definition
…
Super-ego defintion
OR ‘ego-deal’
- Last part to develop 5 years
- Internalised moral standards of right + wrong –> acquired from authority figures
- Fulfilling rules leads to pride, failing leads to guilt
- Extent of super-ego can vary
Why does Freud argue conscience cannot be god-given?
- Conscience is varied, different people have different opinions of ethical issues
- Conscience is a ‘moral policeman’ developed during childhood
What does Freud say is needed for proper moral decisions to be made?
A balance between ego and super-ego
Freud on Christianity
- Religious belief was an “adolescent stage in the development of the human race” and that humanity should “free itself”
Name 3 Historical Theological Wider Scholars
- Augustine,
–> All people aim for good, sometimes wrong, conscience = Voice of Gog - Joseph Butler,
–> Conscience is God-Given and must be followed, conscience harmonises self-love and benevolence - John Newman
–> conscience is voice with Divine authority, our duty to follow as conscience is a messenger of God’s will
What were Augustines views on Conscience? + dates
334-430 - 4th Century Theologian
- All people aim for what is good, sin is falling short of God’s ideals
- Sometimes even following conscience will be wrong
- Conscience is Voice of God, All Goodness comes from God
What were Joseph Butler views on Conscience? + dates
- Most crucial thing for people is the possession of reflection or conscience - Being human involves being moral
- Conscience is god-given, must always be followed
- Self love + benevolence (love of others) are two main principles
- Conscience harmonises self-love + benevolence
- Authority of Conscience divine, conscience is a principles of reflection
What were John Newman views on Conscience? + dates
- 19th Century Roman Catholic Theologian
- Most ideas on Conscience in “Letter to the Duke of Norfolk”
- Argued conscience was a voice within us that has divine origin - guide to moral truth
- Believed conscience represented presence of God’s moral law
- Conscience acts as moral compass, helps discern right + wrong –> connected to our duty to follow God’s will
- God is inventor of Conscience, Conscience is a messenger
Similarities in all Theologian views on Conscience
All see conscience as divine + stemming from God
Difference in Theologian views vs Aquinas
Aquinas did not consider conscience to be intuitive,
- Argued it was a “rational power”
- Rationalist approach, we can make mistakes when we misapply reason + follow apparent goods
Name 3 Modern Theological Wider Scholars
Vincent MacMara,
–> Misleading to describe conscience as voice, implies it is separate from individual, conscience is way we see the world.
Richard Guala,
–> Conscience not series of laws, ability to act within a Christian framework
Timothy O’Connel
–> 3 levels of conscience, we have obligation to search out good using moral reasoning e.g. Church, Moral values = Moral reasoning + Human experiences
What were Vincent MacMara’s views on Conscience?
- Misleading to describe conscience as a ‘voice’ –> makes it sound separate from individual
- See conscience in terms of an awareness people have
- Conscience is how we ‘see’ the world
What were Richard Guala’s views on Conscience?
- Misleading to see conscience as a series of laws
- 2 key terms; vision and choice
- Conscience is ability to act within Christian framework
What were Timothy O’Connel’s views on Conscience?
- Conscience has 3 levels
i) General sense of personal responsibility for who we are
ii) Obligation to search out the good, using moral reasoning e.g. Bible or Church
Moral values discovered through moral reasoning + human experience
Biblical quotes on Conscience
- Romans, “God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts … tell them they are doing right”
- John, “If our consciences have nothing to charge us with, we can be sure God is with us” - Conscience voice of God
