LOA’s Flashcards
(5 cards)
What comparisons can be made between Aquinas and Freud on the concept of guilt
Freud’s theory ultimately offers the stronger account of guilt. It avoids metaphysical speculation, accounts for cultural and psychological variation, and has empirical support.
In comparison, Aquinas’ theory, though morally serious, is rooted in outdated assumptions and less consistent with contemporary scientific understanding.
Therefore, Freud’s theory is more compelling in explaining the origins and nature of guilt in human beings.
What comparisons can be made between Aquinas and Freud on the presence or absence of God within the workings of the conscience and super-ego
Although Aquinas and Freud both attempt to explain the experience of conscience and guilt, only Freud does so without invoking unverifiable metaphysics.
Freud’s theory offers a more parsimonious and scientifically grounded understanding of the conscience that renders the presence of God — central to Aquinas — an unnecessary hypothesis.
Therefore, in comparing their views, Freud’s absence of God in moral psychology is a strength rather than a weakness.
What comparisons can be made between Aquinas and Freud on the process of moral decision making
Although Aquinas presents a rationally structured and morally ambitious theory of conscience, Freud’s psychological model better captures the empirical reality of how moral decisions are made.
Freud’s account is more compatible with scientific evidence, accommodates cultural diversity, and avoids unnecessary metaphysical assumptions.
In light of these strengths, Freud offers a more credible and flexible framework for understanding moral decision-making than Aquinas’ telos-dependent account.
Is conscience is linked to, or separate from, reason and the unconscious mind
Freud’s approach, while unscientific in origin, has been vindicated by later psychological research supporting the role of unconscious and social factors in shaping moral awareness.
The scientific and cross-cultural credibility of Freud’s position makes it a more compelling and parsimonious explanation.
Therefore, conscience is best understood as separate from reason and linked instead to the unconscious mind.
Does conscience exists at all or is instead an umbrella term covering various factors involved in moral decision-making, such as culture, environment, genetic predisposition and education?
We should reject the notion of conscience as a unified metaphysical faculty and instead accept the more defensible, scientific view that conscience refers to a broad set of overlapping influences—culture, upbringing, genetics, and environment.
