Voice of reason Flashcards
What is synderesis?
Internal in humans to strive towards goodness and away from evil.
What is the conscientia?
Power of reason working out what is good or evil. It can be mistaken and need to be trained in wisdom.
What does Aquinas say about the conscientia?
That it is the ‘Application of knowledge to activity’
What is the difference between vincible and invincible ignorance?
Invincible ignorance is not blame worthy and vincible ignorance is. (Man who sleeps with a woman who he thinks is his wife)
Quote from Aquinas about Conscience and reason
‘conscience is reason making right decisions and not a voice giving commands’
What did MLK say that can support this?
‘Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity’
Where does Joseph Butler say conscience come from?
Given by God but is the voice of reason
What did Butler say are humans two guides?
Self interest and conscience
What does Butler believe about benevolence?
It is as much a part of our shared human nature as self love
How does Richard Dawkins add to Butler and benevolence?
He believed we all share an ‘alturistic gene’ (concern for others)
How does D.D. Raphael criticise Butler?
‘he gives no definition of conscience’
