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
