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Conscience - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Sees conscience as a rational faculty that enables individuals to discern right from wrong based on natural law
      - Two key components
        
        Synderesis
        
        The innate habit of understanding basic moral principles
        
        Conscientia
        
        The application of these principles to particular situations
        
        While synderesis is infallible, conscientia requires proper moral reasoning and education to function correctly, highlighting the dynamic and reflective nature of moral decision-making
    - - Conscience
        
        Integral part of the self
        
        Deeply connected to the individual's relationship with God and the ethical life
        
        A call to self-awareness and individuality
        
        Involves recognition of one's sinfulnes
        
        Deeper uderstanding of one's relationship with God
      - 'Becoming oneself'
        
        Ongoing process
        
        Self-examination
        
        Choice
        
        Commitment to one's values and beliefs
        
        Deeply personal and subjective
      - True theical living and spiritual authenticity can only be achieved by heeding the voice of conscience
  - - - Views the conscience as part of the superego
        
        Develops during early childhood through the internalisation of societal and parental norms and standards
    - - Freedom consists in following your conscience
      - True conscience is the rational acceptance of our duty to abide by 'the moral law within'/ the categorical imperative
- - - - Aquinas
        
        Not to lie
        
        Violates primary precepts (live socably; worship God)
        
        Can't pass doctrine of double effect as it is always intentional
        
        Conscience could be in error if we have the wrong interior act or are guided by apparent goods
      - Kierkegaard
        
        Most lying is not serious enough to cause an existential crisis unless one engages in it habitually
        
        Lead to the accumulated immorality of your behaviour
        
        An authentic response would be to resolve this internal dilemma oneself rather than relying on external authority (eg. confession)
    - - Freud
        
        Freud is not judgemental of the act itself
        
        Desire to lie has basis in the Id
        
        Causes tensions between the Superego and Ego
        
        May manifest as guilt
        
        Resolving our guilt might involve exercising self-control or addressing the source of guilt (eg. abnormalities in our upbringing)
      - Kant
        
        Not to lie
        
        Can't be universalised
        
        Fails test of categorical imperative
        
        Treats others as a means-to-an-end, rather than as an end-in-themself
        
        Irrational
        
        Destroys truth but depends on it
  - - - Aquinas
        
        Not to commit adultery
        
        Violates primary precepts (live sociably; worship God)
        
        Alway intentional
        
        Conscience could be in error if we have the wrong interior act or are guided by apparent goods
        
        We cannot claim ignorance of marriage laws as they are declared during the wedding
        
        HOWEVER: invincible ignorance
        
        Amnesia?
        
        Thought your partner was dead?
      - Kierkegaard
        
        Crisis of conscience beforehand
        
        Anxiety of one's freedom to engage in the act
        
        An authentic response would be to resolve this internal dilemma oneself rather than relying on external authority
    - - Freud
        
        Freud is not judgemental of the act itself
        
        Similar to lying, resolving issues with the conscience/ guilt may involve tackling their source
        
        Eg. we may experience excessive guilt about sexual urges due to a very strict religious upbringing
      - Kant
        
        Not to commit adultery
        
        Can't be universalized
        
        Fails the test of the categorical imperative
        
        Treats others as a means-to-an-end, rather than as an end-in-themself
        
        Irrational
        
        Destroys marriage but depends on it
- - - - Promotion of introspection and personal moral development
        
        Encourages individuals to reflect on their values, actions, amd impacts on others
        
        Helps individuals refine their ethical principles and strive for a more virtuous life
      - Flexibility and adaptability
        
        Assess situations on a case-by-case basis
        
        Flexibility is essential in a diverse and ever-changing world, where moral absolutes may not always apply
      - Internal motivation and authenticity
        
        Drives individuals to act based on their internal moral conviction rather than external pressures or expectations
    - - Subjectivity and potential for error
      - Influence of external factors
        
        Upbringing
        
        Culture
        
        Societal norms
        
        May lead to a moral compass that aligns more with societal expectations than with universal moral principles
      - Potential for rationalisation
        
        Individuals may use their conscience to justify actions that fulfil personal desires/bases under the guise of moral reasoning
  - - - May regard conscience as a useful but not infallible guide
      - Value of conscience lies in its potential to lead to action that promote the greatest good
      - Criticism: may prioritise individual moral intuitions or the following of moral rules over societal benefits
    - - Conscience serves as the internal mechanism that holds individuals accountable to moral laws
      - Essential for recognising and action upon one's duties
      - Criticism: potential for misinterpretations or misapplication of moral laws
    - - Sees conscience as integral to ethical living
      - Guides individuals towards virtuous actions
      - Criticism: a well-formed conscience requires practical wisdom to navigate complex moral situations effectively