Conscience in Ethics: A Comprehensive Explanation Flashcards
is a fundamental concept in ethics, guiding individuals in making moral decisions.
Conscience
It is “the knowledge within oneself
Conscience
an internal awareness of what is right
and wrong.
Conscience
It functions as “the practical judgment of reason which regulates
human acts in their concrete individuality,” meaning it applies moral principles to specific situations, helping individuals determine the morality of their actions.
Conscience
Two Kinds of Conscience in Relation to Time
Antecedent Conscience
Consequent Conscience
This is the conscience that comes before an action is performed
Antecedent Conscience
It advises a person whether a particular act should be done or avoided based on moral principles.
Antecedent Conscience
This is the conscience that comes after an action has already been performed.
Consequent Conscience
It judges whether the action was right or wrong, leading to feelings of guilt, remorse, or satisfaction.
Consequent Conscience
Two Kinds of Conscience in Relation to Its Object
True Conscience
Erroneous Conscience
Also called correct conscience
True Conscience
this is when a person makes a judgment that
aligns with objective moral truth
True Conscience
This occurs when a person makes a moral judgment that is mistaken due to ignorance, misinformation, or personal bias.
Erroneous Conscience
Erroneous conscience can be further divided into two types:
Vincible ignorance
Invincible ignorance
The person could have sought the truth but did not make
enough effort. They are morally responsible.
Vincible ignorance
The person could not have known the truth despite
sincere effort. They are not morally responsible.
Invincible ignorance
Four Kinds of Conscience in Relation to Assent
Certain Conscience
Doubtful Conscience
Lax Conscience
Scrupulous Conscience
it is when a person is fully convinced that their judgment is correct and acts accordingly.
Certain Conscience
it is when aperson is uncertain about whether an action is right or wrong.
Doubtful Conscience
its moral principle is when One should not act when in doubt about the morality of an
action.
Doubtful Conscience
it is when a person takes moral obligations lightly and does not see wrongdoing as seriously as they should.
Lax Conscience
it is when a person is overly critical of their actions and constantly fears committing sin or
wrongdoing, even when none exists.
Scrupulous Conscience
“Every conscience, whether right or erroneous, whether with regard to acts which are evil in themselves or acts which are indifferent, is obligatory, so that he who acts in opposition to his conscience, does wrong.”
Moral Principle of Conscience
it is when A person must always follow their conscience, whether it is correct or mistaken.
Moral Principle of Conscience
If a person believes an action is wrong and still does it, they violate their conscience, which is inherently
immoral
is the inner moral compass that helps regulate human actions based on reason and ethical principles.
Conscience
It can be classified in different ways depending on its
timing, accuracy, and degree of certainty.
Conscience
While it is obligatory to follow one's conscience, individuals have the responsibility to ———- and ——– their conscience to align with moral truth.
educate and refine
