RS a level ETHICS - conscience

ao1 and ao2

2 approaches (on the spec) to conscience

Aquinas’ theological approach, Freud’s psychological approach

5 spec points on Aquinas’ approach

ratio, synderesis, conscientia, vincible ignorance, invincible ignorance

what is ratio (Aquinas’ term)

reason placed in every person as a result of being created by God

what is synderesis

God’s gift of an inner faculty directing all humans towards good and away from evil

what is conscientia (Aquinas’ term)

a person’s reason making moral judgements

what is vincible ignorance

lack of knowledge for which the person is responsible

what is invincible ignorance

lack of knowledge for which the person is not responsible

4 spec points on Freud’s approach

psychosexual development, id, ego, super-ego

what is psychosexual development

early childhood awareness of libido

what is the id

instinctive impulses that seek satisfaction in pleasure

what is the ego

mediation between the id and the demands of social interaction

what is the super-ego

contradicts the id and works on internalised ideals from parents and society, tries to make the ego behave morally

what kind of reasoning does Aquinas think is needed for morality

practical: practica ratio

quote from Aquinas on prudence (1 of the 4 cardinal virtues)

“prudence entails not only consideration of the reason but also the application to the action, which is the goal of practical reason”

how does Servais Pinckaers describe Aquinas’ approach

“Aquinas saw conscience and prudence as two converging lights coming from the same sources. Both are prompted by our aspiration to the truth and both share the object of the discernment between good and evil”

is conscience an act or a noun for Aquinas

an act of the mind

3 ways Aquinas suggests conscience works

judges past moral decisions, determines future actions, judges how well or badly we act

what makes the “guilt” for Aquinas when it comes to conscience

synderesis

what is conscience for Freud

internalising parental prohibitions and demands so they seem to come from within

is Freud’s approach realist or anti-realist

anti-realist

quote from Freud describing the basis of guilty conscience

“based on the tension between the ego and the ego-ideal”

quote from Hitchens demonstrating Hitchens Razor, in application to Freud

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence”

how might Freud interpret Aquinas’ idea of God-given synderesis

a category error

how would Freud explain the synderesis-type feeling

internalised ideals that are within us but cannot be without us

how does St Augustine define conscience

literally the voice of God

quote from Aquinas supporting the rational rather than intuitive basis of conscience

“a rational power, since it is not found in brute animals”

who argues that science must be falsifiable

Karl Popper

romans 2:15 on conscience as innate knowledge/ability to know God

“They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness”

quote from Aquinas showing his realist approach to conscience

“conscience, according to the very nature of the word, implies the relation of knowledge to something”

quote from Aquinas showing conscience is innate

“synderesis is not a power, but a natural habit”

what is phronesis

Aquinas’ concept of practical wisdom in relation to moral decisions, which is improved by our conscience through experience and time

how does Cardinal Newman interpret conscience

“the voice of God” in the human mind

Dawkins’ explanation of conscience

an evolutionary advantage since co-operation and treating others well may benefit survival