Conscience
Conscience
Conscience (/ˈkɒnʃəns/) is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual's moral philosophy or value system.
Etymology
The term "conscience" derives from the Latin word conscientia, meaning "knowledge within oneself". It is a compound of con, meaning "with", and scientia, meaning "knowledge".
Definition
Conscience is often described as leading to feelings of remorse when a human commits actions that go against their moral values and to feelings of rectitude or integrity when actions conform to such norms. The extent to which conscience informs moral judgment before an action and whether such moral judgments are or should be based in reason has occasioned debate through much of the history of Western philosophy.
Related Terms
- Moral philosophy: The branch of philosophy that contemplates what is right and wrong. It explores the nature of morality and examines how people should live their lives in relation to others.
- Value system: A set of consistent ethic values (more specifically the personal and cultural values) and measures used for the purpose of ethical or ideological integrity.
- Remorse: A distressing emotion experienced by an individual who regrets actions which they have done in the past that they deem to be shameful, hurtful, or wrong.
- Integrity: The practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Conscience
- Wikipedia's article - Conscience
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