The concept of "conscience" appeared in ancient times, and many philosophers tried to give it a definition. Someone said that this is a feeling that makes a person weak, and someone, on the contrary, argued that this is one of the strongest qualities of a good person. It was especially difficult to talk about what conscience was, in their own words, to those who had never experienced such a feeling. Let's try to figure out what this word means.
Ethical standards
Most sources claim that conscience is the need to adhere to moral and ethical standards that have developed in the environment where a person grew up. If for some reason it is not possible to fulfill certain principles, then the individual experiences a feeling of guilt. What is conscience, in their own words, is described by the servants in the religious community - rabbis. They believe that this is the inner voice of every person, not allowing to go astray and guarding against the commission of sin.
How does feeling come about?
When people talk about a concept or event, try to understand its essence, they always turn to the sources. In this case, it is also very important to know how and when a sense of conscience first arises. In modern science, there are two completely opposite theories, but each of them is very interesting and relevant. Adherents of the first believe that a person’s conscience is a feeling that has a natural character. Others are convinced that it is vaccinated from early childhood.
Both theories have the right to life, because in order for this feeling to form, a causal relationship is necessary. For example, when in infancy, selfish acts that cause trouble are condemned, and altruistic ones that bring benefits are approved, a causal relationship is formed in the child.
Over time, censure and approval arises in a person by itself. So, now in adulthood, selfish acts are no longer condemned by parents, but by an inner voice. Due to the fact that such associations arise from infancy and are firmly rooted in the human brain, it seems that this is an innate quality. But, again, since this feeling is formed in the environment where the person grew up, his "concept of conscience" may differ significantly from the opinions of others on this score.
Let us try to explain what conscience is, in our own words, with a fairly simple example. There are two families. In one, egoism is not considered to be some kind of negative quality, but is called only “self-love”. Censure in this family occurs when a child infringes himself in something, it seems to parents that he does not like himself at all. Here the child is “tormented by conscience”, for example, because instead of buying candy for himself, he gives this money to the poor. Another family is the exact opposite: the exact same act is not condemned, but approved.
One and the other child have a sense of “conscience,” one way or another, but it is directed in different directions. It should be understood that generally accepted moral concepts of conscience will still be on the side of the child from the second family.
Altruism and Selfishness
Despite the fact that the environment in which a person grows has a very great influence on him, not always certain qualities arise thanks to her. It so happens that the principles by which the family lives do not at all coincide with the essence of their child. An altruist can grow up in an absolutely immoral family, so he has a negative attitude towards their lifestyle and wants to be different at all costs. He is ashamed of the acts that his parents commit, and if he himself does this, he is tormented by his conscience. C. Darwin called this manifestation natural altruism.
If the situation is completely opposite, then we can talk about natural egoism. Many scientists and philosophers believe that this feeling is inherent in everyone in varying degrees. The degree of censure of egoism from early childhood, most likely, determines how conscientious a person will grow. Western sciences believe that children are born with an equal degree of altruism and egoism, the quality that most approves is prevailing.
Conscience analysis
In order to analyze this concept, a consciousness of freedom and sinfulness is necessary. It can be said in mathematical language that a person’s conscience is the difference between those actions that are permissible and those that are impossible for any reason. Quite often, the manifestation of this feeling is connected precisely with faith. Conscience is a kind of internal overseer who controls the morality of actions. For believers, those that contradict their commandments will be considered immoral in the first place.
As a rule, honor and conscience are always identified with each other. For example, the German thinker I. Kant calls this feeling a law that lives in every person and determines his dignity. A. Golbakh said that conscience is an internal judge. Only this sense of responsibility clearly indicates how much a person’s actions deserve blame or approval.
Freedom of conscience
Since the beginning of the concept under consideration, there have been a huge number of different interpretations of the word, however, all of them were based on general moral principles (honor, dignity, altruism, kindness), explaining what conscience is. Almost every thinker and philosopher described the meaning of this word and its basic principles in his works.
In the 19th century, the concept of freedom of conscience gradually began to appear. This gave a certain impetus to moral democracy. The concept of conscience has become for everyone something purely personal. The environment in which a person grows has become decisive for him. Accordingly, if a person wants his family to live according to certain moral and ethical standards, they must be respected and instilled. What is considered wrong and immoral must be condemned, but good must be approved.
Children and conscience
In order to understand on what principles a child grows, you can ask him to write a little discussion on the topic "Conscience and I." From the text it will be absolutely clear in what moments education needs to be paid more attention. Moreover, conscience can lead to certain mental problems. When a child or an adult fails to do anything “in good conscience”, guilt begins to torment him. Such frequent conditions can even lead to suicides. Children need to explain what conscience is, in their own words, to learn how to act, so that there will be no remorse, and to talk about the situations when there is no way to act one way or another.