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Conscience

Theories of Conscience and Their Evaluation

  • 4 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on Aquinas, Butler, Newman, Freud, Fromm, Piaget and Kohlberg on conscience, its application to lying, promise-breaking and adultery, and its strengths and weaknesses as a moral guide.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is conscience in the context of moral philosophy?

Key term

What was Newman's view of the source of conscience?

Key term

How do religious and secular perspectives on conscience differ when applied to adultery?

Process

Distinguish synderesis from conscientia, and say whether conscience can err.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is conscience in the context of moral philosophy?

    Model answer

    An inner sense or faculty that guides individuals in distinguishing right from wrong and prompts moral judgement about one's own actions.

  2. 2

    In Aquinas's account, what is synderesis?

    Model answer

    The innate habit of understanding first principles of morality; an innate disposition towards good.

  3. 3

    What did Aquinas mean by conscientia?

    Model answer

    The act of applying moral principles to specific situations; the practical application of moral knowledge to particular acts.

  4. 4

    According to Aquinas, can conscience make mistakes, and what should a person do if their conscience errs?

    Model answer

    Yes, conscience can err if reasoning is faulty, but a person must always follow their conscience even when mistaken, as it represents their best moral judgement.

  5. 5

    How did Butler characterise the authority of conscience?

    Model answer

    Butler argued conscience is a God-given faculty that is authoritative and should always be obeyed, functioning as the supreme moral guide that intuitively approves or disapproves of actions.

  6. 6

    What was Newman's view of the source of conscience?

    Model answer

    Newman held that conscience is the voice of God speaking within the individual, providing direct divine guidance on moral matters.

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