Conscience

• Who developed Natural law as a form of religious ethics?

  Aquinas
• What does Natural law theory propose about moral law?

  It is designed into human nature by God
• How does ethics relate to Natural law according to Aquinas?

  Using reason to discover moral behaviors
• What is synderesis in Aquinas' theory?

  The ability of reason to discover first principles
• What is the purpose (telos) of following God's law according to Aquinas?

  To glorify God
• What does the synderesis rule state?

  The good is what all things seek as their end
• What are the primary precepts according to Aquinas?

  Worship God, live orderly, reproduce, educate, protect life
• What is the relationship between primary precepts and human nature?

  • Primary precepts articulate natural inclinations
  • They are ethical principles derived from reason
  • They guide actions towards the good
• How are primary precepts applied to specific situations?

  Through a process called conscientia
• What is a secondary precept?

  A judgment derived from applying primary precepts
• How does Aquinas view euthanasia in relation to primary precepts?

  Euthanasia contradicts the precept of preserving life
• What does Aquinas claim about conscience?

  It involves understanding and applying natural law
• What are the classic features of conscience according to Aquinas?

  Witness, bind & incite, accuse & rebuke
• How does conscience cause feelings of guilt?

  By judging our actions as right or wrong
• Why is human reason considered fallible by Aquinas?

  Because it can misapply moral principles
• What cannot be mistaken according to Aquinas?

  The synderesis rule and primary precepts
• What can lead to mistakes in conscientia?

  Original sin, unvirtuous habits, corrupt culture
• What are apparent goods?

  Actions that seem good but are not
• Why must we follow our conscience according to Aquinas?

  Every judgment of conscience is obligatory
• What distinguishes vincible ignorance from invincible ignorance?

  Vincible ignorance involves blame; invincible does not
• What is vincible ignorance?

  Ignorance where one could have known better
• How does Aquinas' view of human nature face criticism?

  Human evil contradicts the orientation towards good
• What is descriptive moral relativism?

  Recognition of different moral beliefs across cultures
• What argument did Fletcher make against Aquinas' theory?

  It suggests no innate ability to discover natural law
• What do core similarities in moralities across cultures suggest?

  There may be a universal human moral nature
• What are alternative explanations for cross-cultural similarities in moral codes?

  • Biologically evolved morality
  • Practical requirements for societal function
  • Not solely based on divine design
• What is Aquinas' stance on human reason and knowledge of God?

  Human reason cannot fully know God
• What did Karl Barth argue against Aquinas' natural law theory?

  It overrelies on human reason for morality
• How does Barth view the finite mind's capacity for understanding God?

  It cannot grasp God's infinite being
• What does Tillich argue about the denial of natural moral law?

  It implies self-deception about human nature
• What does Tillich suggest about the conscience's awareness of its fallen state?

  It indicates a gap between potential and reality
• What does Tillich's view imply about the nature of conscience?

  It is a reflection of our essential nature
• What does Aquinas suggest about reason and natural law?

  Reason can understand God's natural law.
• How does Tillich defend Aquinas against Barth's view?

  He argues reason can discover natural law.
• What does Tillich say about self-deception and natural moral law?

  Denial of natural law shows self-deception.
• What does Tillich imply about conscience and human nature?

  Conscience reflects our essential nature.
• What contradiction arises from denying natural law according to Tillich?

  It implies a gap between current and potential self.
• What does a weak conscience indicate according to Tillich?

  It still provides direction towards righteousness.
• How does Tillich view humanity's belief in knowing God?

  It reflects arrogance similar to Adam and Eve.
• What does Freud believe about the conscience?

  It results from psychological forces, not divine.