Conscience

Question 1

What is conscience?

Answer 1

Conscience can be viewed as either the infallible voice of God or the internalized voices of society.

Question 2

What is the role of conscience?

Answer 2

Conscience informs moral agents of right and wrong, invokes feelings of guilt, and demands a particular course of action.

Question 3

What is St Augustine’s view on conscience?

Answer 3

St Augustine believed conscience is the innate voice of God, placed in the human mind, serving as our moral guide.

Question 4

What is a strength of Augustine’s view on conscience?

Answer 4

It is consistent with scripture, as stated in Romans 2:15.

Question 5

What is a weakness of Augustine’s view on conscience?

Answer 5

It depends on belief in God and does not account for the amount of evil in the world.

Question 6

What is St Thomas Aquinas’ perspective on conscience?

Answer 6

Aquinas viewed conscience as a God-given ability, emphasizing reason rather than an innate voice.

Question 7

What is the synderesis principle according to Aquinas?

Answer 7

The synderesis principle states ‘Do good, avoid evil,’ governing all human reasoning.

Question 8

What is a strength of Aquinas’ view on conscience?

Answer 8

It is realistic as it considers that conscience is fallible.

Question 9

What is a weakness of Aquinas’ view on conscience?

Answer 9

It assumes everyone acts according to the synderesis principle, which is not the case.

Question 10

What did Bishop Joseph Butler believe about conscience?

Answer 10

Butler saw conscience as a God-given reflective principle, a moral guide that balances prudence and benevolence.

Question 11

What is a strength of Butler’s view on conscience?

Answer 11

It makes individuals morally responsible for their actions.

Question 12

What is a weakness of Butler’s view on conscience?

Answer 12

Some people may not achieve a balance between prudence and benevolence.

Question 13

What is Joseph Fletcher’s view on conscience?

Answer 13

Fletcher argues that conscience is a verb, not a noun, representing our decision-making process.

Question 14

What is a strength of Fletcher’s view on conscience?

Answer 14

It resolves the issue of conscience not being a physical feature by explaining it as an action.

Question 15

What is a weakness of Fletcher’s view on conscience?

Answer 15

It contradicts traditional Christian understandings of conscience as a gift from God.

Question 16

What is Freud’s perspective on conscience?

Answer 16

Freud viewed conscience as the internalized voice of authority, linked to feelings of guilt.

Question 17

What is a strength of Freud’s view on conscience?

Answer 17

It provides insight into the origins of guilt.

Question 18

What is a weakness of Freud’s view on conscience?

Answer 18

It reduces conscience to the wishes of authority.

Question 19

What did Erich Fromm believe about conscience?

Answer 19

Fromm saw conscience as developing in a social context, encompassing both authoritarian and humanistic aspects.

Question 20

What is a strength of Fromm’s view on conscience?

Answer 20

It acknowledges social influences on human conscience.

Question 21

What is a weakness of Fromm’s view on conscience?

Answer 21

It challenges traditional religious ideas of conscience.

Question 22

What is Lawrence Kohlberg’s view on conscience?

Answer 22

Kohlberg believed conscience represents the highest level of moral development in humans.

Question 23

What is a strength of Kohlberg’s view on conscience?

Answer 23

It considers that conscience develops over time.

Question 24

What is a weakness of Kohlberg’s view on conscience?

Answer 24

It challenges traditional religious ideas that conscience is the voice of God.

Question 25

How does Augustine view lying in relation to conscience?

Answer 25

Augustine sees lying as wrong because it goes against God's commands.

Question 26

How does Aquinas view lying in relation to conscience?

Answer 26

Aquinas argues that lying violates the synderesis principle, which is to do good and avoid evil.

Question 27

How does Fletcher view lying in relation to conscience?

Answer 27

Fletcher believes lying can be acceptable if it is the most loving action, using agapeic calculus.

Question 28

How does Freud view lying in relation to conscience?

Answer 28

Freud suggests that feelings of guilt arise from parental teachings against lying.

Question 29

How does Fromm view lying in relation to conscience?

Answer 29

Fromm sees lying as disloyalty to society, invoking guilt in the authoritarian conscience.

Question 30

How does Kohlberg view lying in relation to conscience?

Answer 30

Kohlberg believes lying cannot be universalized, thus it is wrong.

Question 31

How does Augustine view adultery in relation to conscience?

Answer 31

Augustine sees adultery as wrong as it goes against divine law.

Question 32

How does Aquinas view adultery in relation to conscience?

Answer 32

Aquinas considers adultery wrong as it violates the synderesis principle.

Question 33

How does Fletcher view adultery in relation to conscience?

Answer 33

Fletcher argues adultery is not agapeic, but may be justifiable in certain situations.

Question 34

How does Freud view adultery in relation to conscience?

Answer 34

Freud would say feelings of guilt depend on the normalization of adultery in one's upbringing.

Question 35

How does Fromm view adultery in relation to conscience?

Answer 35

Fromm suggests that the authoritarian conscience would prevent adultery due to societal disapproval.

Question 36

How does Kohlberg view adultery in relation to conscience?

Answer 36

Kohlberg believes adultery cannot be universalized, thus it is wrong.