Conscience Religious Approaches Biblical teachings. Christian theology.

Biblical Ideas And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. – Genesis 2:7 When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts. – Romans 2:14-15a

Biblical Ideas There is no Hebrew word for conscience, but the Greek word ‘synderessi’ (meaning right reason) appears in the Book of Wisdom in the Old Testament. St Paul mentions conscience many times, describing it as an awareness of what is good and bad.

Biblical Ideas Implications: The conscience is God-given. Morality is objective. All people have the same access to morality. By following one’s conscience one is following the divine law.

Early Christian thinkers St Jerome (147-240) believed conscience to be an innate faculty which reveals God’s moral law as this is inscribed in men’s souls. He described it as ‘…the spark of conscience….with which we discern that we sin’.

Early Christian thinkers St Augustine (354-430) developed this idea and argued that knowledge of the moral law is not sufficient for virtue. The will should also be turned towards good. God’s love draws the soul towards Him.

Augustine (354-430) Voice of God ‘Return to your conscience, question it. …Turn inward, brethren, and in everything you do, see God as your witness.’

Reason seeking understanding Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) Reason seeking understanding The conscience is the natural ability of people to understand the difference between right and wrong using reason. The conscience is ‘The mind of man making moral judgments.’

Thomas Aquinas Synderesis (right reason) Knowledge and understanding of moral principles and values. Conscientia (right action) The actual ethical judgements / decisions a person makes.

Thomas Aquinas People innately aim for what is good and try to avoid the bad. Sin is falling short of God’s ideals – poor use of reason.

Thomas Aquinas Distinguishes right from wrong Helps to make decisions when confronted with moral dilemmas. It is right to follow your conscience because it is right to follow moral principles. Immoral actions occur because of poor reason. Our conscience is sometimes wrong, but we must still follow it as it is our best guide.

Thomas Aquinas Strengths Explains the origin of the conscience. Explains evil – our conscience can sometimes be wrong, so explains why there are bad people in the world Weaknesses If it is God-given, why is it fallible? Everyone does not have the same ability to reason; is it just to hold all of them responsible for their actions and accuse them of poor use of reason?

Homework ‘Free Will and Determinism are compatible.’ DUE: Friday 27th January.

Key question Are the Biblical and Patristic views of conscience compatible and coherent?

Joseph Butler (1692 – 1752) Anglican priest and theologian. Ordained 1718. Offered the post of Archbishop of Canterbury in 1747 but refused it. Became Bishop of Durham in 1750. Key work: ‘Of the Nature of Virtue’ established him as one of the foremost British writers on ethics and moral philosophy.

Joseph Butler Conscience from God ‘There is a principle reflection in men by which they distinguish between approval and disapproval of their own actions … this principle in man … is conscience.’ This distinguishes us from animals – we are in touch with God’s Will. Conscience is “our natural guide, the guide assigned to us by the Author of our nature.”

Joseph Butler Authority The conscience ‘magisterially exerts itself’ spontaneously ‘without being consulted’ automatically and with authority. ‘Had it strength, as it has right; had it power as it has manifest authority: it would absolutely govern the world.’ This innate gift from God must be followed, it is the ultimate authority, and it is never wrong.

Hierarchy of Human Nature Joseph Butler Hierarchy of Human Nature Conscience Principles of reflection Approve or disapprove of our actions Impulse of Self-Love and Benevolence selfishness and selflessness Drives No thought of consequences.

Joseph Butler Some Questions Is conscience reason or emotion? It doesn’t matter, it’s God-Given and so must be observed! If conscience identifies God’s Will, why do some people commit evil? Evil comes from blinding one’s conscience. God wills it?

The purpose of conscience Joseph Butler The purpose of conscience To guide us to a happy life. Eudaimonia! Harmonise self-love and benevolence. Love thy neighbour!

Joseph Butler Strengths Cannot be mistaken as it is God-given, therefore we must listen to it. Very clear and straightforward. Weaknesses Does not explain how we know what our conscience is and how we listen to it. Does not explain why people do evil if we have an infallible conscience which is God-given.

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Originally an Anglican priest and Oxford academic. Left the Church of England in 1845 and was received into the Roman Catholic Church where he became a Cardinal. Key work: ‘Grammar of Assent’ published in 1870.

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) The Voice of God When a person follows conscience he is simultaneously and mysteriously following a divine law. Letter to the Duke of Norfolk (1874)

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) The Voice of God When a person follows conscience he is simultaneously and mysteriously following a divine law. Letter to the Duke of Norfolk (1874)

Conscience and Intuition John Henry Newman Conscience and Intuition Conscience is a ‘messenger’ of God speaking to us. It is an innate and direct order from God. When we make moral decisions or feel intuition, that is God’s voice. At its best conscience detects truth. It is always right.

John Henry Newman ‘If, as is the case, we feel responsibility, are ashamed, are frightened, at transgressing the voice of conscience, this implies there is One to whom we are responsible, before whom we are ashamed, whose claims upon us we fear.’ The Grammar of Assent (chapter 5)

John Henry Newman Strengths Simple and easy – the conscience is always right so you cannot make the wrong decision by following it. It overrides all other influences (or should!) so there is no issue of knowing what to follow. Weaknesses Some people may use this to their advantage and say their conscience ‘told them’ to do something immoral. Does not explain how we know what our conscience is, or how to use our intuition.

HW ESSAY ON CONSCIENCE Critically assess the claim that conscience is the voice of reason. Deadline: Friday 23rd January.