2.2.2

Fletcher's Concept of Conscience

Test yourself

Fletcher's Situation Ethics - Conscience

Conscience is a verb rather than a noun. It is something you do when you make decisions, as Fletcher puts it, ‘creatively.’

Illustrative background for The definition of conscienceIllustrative background for The definition of conscience ?? "content

The definition of conscience

  • Conscience describes the weighing up of the possible decision before it is taken.
    • For example, the process of weighing up whether to have an abortion or not.
    • A hypothetical example: you are living in Nazi Germany during World War II. Do you inform the Gestapo that there are Jewish people hiding in your neighbours' loft, ultimately obeying the law but putting their lives in danger, or do you deny any knowledge to the Gestapo - you would weigh up the decision in your conscience.
Illustrative background for Aquinas' definition of conscienceIllustrative background for Aquinas' definition of conscience ?? "content

Aquinas' definition of conscience

  • Peter Vardy points out that Aquinas’s definition of conscience comes closest to the truth - but it is in no sense a separate faculty.
    • Aquinas’ definition is that the conscience is ‘reason seeking understanding’.
Illustrative background for What conscience is NOTIllustrative background for What conscience is NOT ?? "content

What conscience is NOT

  • Intuition.
  • A channel for Divine Guidance.
  • The internalised values of the individual’s culture.
  • The part of reason that makes value judgements.

Jump to other topics

1Philosophy of Religion

1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato

1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle

1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body

1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation

1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason

1.6Religious Experience

1.7The Problem of Evil

1.8The Nature & Attributes of God

1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic

1.10Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective

2Religion & Ethics

3Developments in Christian Thought

3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings

3.2Death & the Afterlife

3.3Knowledge of God's Existence

3.4The Person of Jesus Christ

3.5Christian Moral Principles

3.6Christian Moral Action

3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology

3.8Development - Pluralism & Society

3.9Gender & Society

3.10Gender & Theology

3.11Challenges

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson