Conscience - Newman and Freud - Revision Notes in A Level and IB Ethics

Newman, Theologian and Cardinal: Conscience is god given (not a result of social conditioning or anything) and eternal.
the faculty of consience is formed by intelligence and guided by the Church
There is an objectiveness about conscience.
Conscience is not about personal desires and wills as it is informed by God, a law giver and judge. It is the voice of God.
Newman puts greater weight on conscience compared to Church - famously says he'll drink to the Pope but only after conscience.
Still thinks we need Church's teachings etc however as the Church protects this idea of moral law (God's law).
We can also be mistaken or act in bad conscience so need Church to help guide us. Church can also be mistaken but more likely an individual will be.
In general Augustine, Butler and Newman's approaches to conscience is much more intuitionist than rationalist like Aquinas who stresses reason as being important…

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