psychological & social view of conscience (secular)

Question 1

view of conscience

Answer 1

• brings both God and conscience into social explanation of human
• argued that conscience is social conditioning - sanctions that the group brings to bear on individual
• saw God as society but doesn’t exist but is a useful idea and God i projection of society’s power
• conscience therefore perception of loyalty to group

Question 2

what did Durkheim also put forward

Answer 2

• idea of collective conscience
• this is totality of beliefs & sentiments common to average citizens in same society
• conscience is organic to social gorups as a whole
• action is bad is society disapproves
• conscience is mechanism whereby groups grow stronger

Question 3

support for Durkheim

Answer 3

• evolutionary perspective on conscience reinforced
• groups improve their survivability by individuals having a conscience compelling them to maintain group loyalty

Question 4

Durkheim opposition

Answer 4

• people outside social norms & criticise things in society like Jesus