Non-religious and non-religious ideas about the nature of conscience

Conscience

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  • Created by: Tori
  • Created on: 04-02-21 15:06
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  • Non-religious ideas about the nature of conscience: part 1
    • Lawrence Kohlberg
      • Conscience as a behaviour developed through social interaction
      • Established 6 stages of moral development, grouped into 3 levels.
        • 3 levels: Pre-Conventional, Conventional, and Post-Conventional
        • Pre-Conventional
          • Typical of primary school aged children.
          • Stage 1 is about obedience to socially accepted norms.
            • This is because they know that disobedience to socially accepted norms knowing that disobedience will result in punishment.
          • Stage 2-  individual behaviour is determined by what is in their best interests.
        • Conventional
          • Typical of society
          • Stage 3 is the desire to do what will gain the approval of others.
          • Stage 4 is responding to what is seen as one's duty through obedience to the law.
        • Post-Conventional
          • Few people will get to this level
          • Stage 5 reveals an understanding of social interaction and genuine interest in the welfare of others.
          • Stage 6 is based on respect for universal principles and the demands of the individual conscience.
      • Challenge
        • Some may challenge this understanding of conscience, following Hume's view that 'reaon should be a slave of the passions'.
          • They may see conscience more as the product of intuition.
    • Sigmund Freud
      • Conscience as an aspect of the super-ego
      • 3 aspects of the mind
        • Id, ego, and super ego
        • The Id
          • The unconscious, instinctive part of our personality that consists of our basic needs and desires.
        • The Ego
          • The rational faculty.
            • Realises that we have to take others into account and acts as a brake on the id.
        • Super-ego
          • Developed in early childhood.
            • The internalised voice of parental authority and continuing the role of commanding, threatening, ect.
              • Continues the role that was carried out by parents and other authority figures.
          • Conscience is the negative aspect of the super-ego
            • Expresses itself through guilt and shame, consciously or unconsciously
          • Controls the individual's potentially socially damaging basic instincts and drives (eg agression, sexual desires).
      • Challenge
        • He gives a limited and extreemly narrow role to the conscience (Eg just limiting desires).

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