Conscience

• According to St Augustine, what is the nature of conscience?

  The infallible voice of God within us
• Why does St Augustine believe we are obliged to follow our conscience?

  Because it has Divine Authority
• What does Freud believe about the origin of conscience?

  It is the internalized voices of authority figures from childhood
• How does Freud explain feelings of guilt in adults?

  They stem from the disapproval of parents or grandparents
• What is the significance of the example about not finishing food at a restaurant?

  It illustrates how childhood teachings can lead to guilt in adulthood
• What are the three potential roles of conscience mentioned in the video?

  To help decide before, during, or after a moral decision
• What are the key components of the religious understandings of conscience that will be evaluated?

  • St Augustine's view of conscience as the voice of God
  • St Thomas Aquinas's view of conscience as a god-given faculty of reason
  • Bishop Butler's reflective principle of conscience
  • Joseph Fletcher's view of conscience as a verb in situation ethics
• What is St Augustine's traditional understanding of conscience?

  It is the innate voice of God within us
• How does St Augustine view the authority of conscience?

  As infallible and authoritative
• What does St Thomas Aquinas believe about the nature of conscience?

  It is a god-given ability to reason
• What principle does Aquinas start with regarding moral decision making?

  The principle that good should be done and evil avoided
• How does Aquinas's view of conscience differ from Augustine's?

  Aquinas sees conscience as a faculty of reason rather than a voice of God
• What does Aquinas believe about the fallibility of conscience?

  It can be mistaken and is fallible
• What is the significance of the term "sinderesis principle" in Aquinas's view?

  It governs human reasoning to do good and avoid evil
• How does Aquinas suggest we should treat our conscience?

  We should always follow it, even if it is fallible
• What are the strengths and criticisms of St Augustine's understanding of conscience?

  Strengths:

  • Consistent with scripture
  • Supported by later theologians

  
  

  Criticisms:

  • Depends on belief in God
  • Moral evil in the world suggests not everyone hears God's voice
  • Different moral beliefs indicate inconsistency in divine messages
  • Potential compromise of free will
• What are the strengths and criticisms of Aquinas's understanding of conscience?

  Strengths:

  • Emphasizes human reasoning
  • Aligns with natural moral law

  
  

  Criticisms:

  • Assumes all people have a disposition to do good
  • May overlook the influence of societal factors on moral reasoning
• Who is Joseph Fletcher and what is his view on conscience?

  He is known for situation ethics and sees conscience as a verb, not a thing
• How does Fletcher's view of conscience relate to situation ethics?

  Conscience is the process of making decisions based on love
• What is the agapic calculus in Fletcher's situation ethics?

  It is a method for determining the most loving action in a situation
• What does Fletcher mean by conscience as a verb?

  It refers to the active process of making moral decisions
• What is the relationship between conscience and moral decision making according to the video?

  Conscience serves as a guide for moral decision making
• What does Aquinas believe about the conscience?

  Aquinas believes that the conscience is fallible and can be mistaken.
• Why does Aquinas think the conscience can make wrong decisions?

  Because human beings are fallible and flawed.
• What example does Aquinas give to illustrate a potential mistake of the conscience?

  If we are not fully informed about the facts of a case, we might make the wrong moral judgment.
• What does Aquinas say about following the conscience despite its fallibility?

  Aquinas states that the conscience should always be followed as it is the best moral guide we have.
• How does Aquinas justify the importance of following the conscience?

  He argues that what the conscience dictates is true to the individual and must be followed.
• What is a strength of Aquinas's understanding of conscience according to the text?

  It is more realistic as it acknowledges that the conscience can be wrong.
• How does Aquinas's view of conscience relate to the existence of evil in the world?

  It explains the presence of evil as a result of human mistakes due to fallibility.
• What does Aquinas say about the relationship between conscience and free will?

  Aquinas believes that the emphasis on reason in conscience safeguards human free will.
• What criticism is made about Aquinas's ideas regarding belief in God?

  His ideas depend on theism and may not satisfy those outside the Christian belief system.
• What assumption does Aquinas make about human behavior according to the text?

  Aquinas assumes that all people act according to the principle of doing good and avoiding evil.
• What does the text suggest about the development of reasoning in individuals?

  It questions why some people have a more developed faculty of reason than others if it is a gift from God.
• Who is Joseph Butler and what is his view on conscience?

  Joseph Butler was a Christian Bishop who believed that conscience is a reflective principle placed within us by God.
• How does Butler describe the conscience?

  Butler describes the conscience as a natural guide and a proper governor.
• What are the two governing principles of human behavior according to Butler?

  The two governing principles are prudence and benevolence.
• What does Butler believe about the balance between prudence and benevolence?

  Butler believes that conscience involves balancing self-interest (prudence) with consideration for others (benevolence).
• What does Butler mean by the "principle of reflection"?

  Butler refers to the conscience as a principle of reflection that helps individuals distinguish between right and wrong actions.
• How does Butler view the authority of conscience?

  Butler sees conscience as an authoritative moral guide because it originates from God.
• What is a criticism of Butler's view on conscience regarding human nature?

  Some people may not balance prudence and benevolence, leading to selfish behavior.