Aquinas and Freud on the process of moral decision making

Created by: A.J.Crowley
Created on: 03-11-20 17:00


	Aquinas and Freud on the process of moral decision making
	Similarities Conscience tells humans right from wrong Following conscience is always the right thing to do Multiple factors influence the moral decision making process	Differences Aquinas believed reason is a gift from God. Aquinas said to use application of synderesis, ratio, and conscientia to do good and avoid evil Aquinas suppled an ethical theory to follow and give guidance that goes with the conscience: natural law Freud believed that conscience was a representation of you parents' and influencers' moral standards. For Freud making moral choices was a balance between a person's desires and socially acceptable behaviour
	Overall comparison They both link the conscience to moral decision making, however, as Aquinas linked it to his ethical design making theory, it could be argued he did so more than Freud. The application of Natural Law includes the synderesis, and ratio and is consiatant with the understanding Aquinas has about the conscience. Freud recognises that the the conflict between the id and superego, causing guilt, can be disruptive so a balance between these is needed when making moral decisions. However, he also draws in the pyschological understanding of the conscience, particularily how social humans gain their idea of ethics and morality off the influences they have at a young age.

Aquinas and Freud on the process of moral decision making

Similarities

Conscience tells humans right from wrong
Following conscience is always the right thing to do
Multiple factors influence the moral decision making process

Differences

Aquinas believed reason is a gift from God.
Aquinas said to use application of synderesis, ratio, and conscientia to do good and avoid evil
Aquinas suppled an ethical theory to follow and give guidance that goes with the conscience: natural law
Freud believed that conscience was a representation of you parents' and influencers' moral standards.
For Freud making moral choices was a balance between a person's desires and socially acceptable behaviour

Overall comparison

They both link the conscience to moral decision making, however, as Aquinas linked it to his ethical design making theory, it could be argued he did so more than Freud. The application of Natural Law includes the synderesis, and ratio and is consiatant with the understanding Aquinas has about the conscience. Freud recognises that the the conflict between the id and superego, causing guilt, can be disruptive so a balance between these is needed when making moral decisions. However, he also draws in the pyschological understanding of the conscience, particularily how social humans gain their idea of ethics and morality off the influences they have at a young age.

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Aquinas and Freud on the process of moral decision making