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Conscience: A Brief History.

Jose A Bufill1, Xavier Symons2,3

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study traces the historical development of the word "conscience," highlighting its crucial role in moral discernment. It argues that the erosion of the Christian concept of conscience contributes to societal division and challenges to conscientious objection.

Keywords:
AquinasAugustineConsciencebioethicsconscientious objectionmedicine

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy
  • History of Ethics
  • Linguistics

Background:

  • Human moral agency involves discerning good from evil, impacting flourishing and societal harmony.
  • The term 'conscience' evolved to describe this moral discernment process.
  • Understanding the historical trajectory of 'conscience' is key to contemporary ethical debates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a historical account of the development of the word 'conscience'.
  • To analyze the evolution of the concept of conscience from ancient times to the present.
  • To assess the impact of the Christian understanding of conscience on human history.

Main Methods:

  • Historical analysis of the term 'conscience' across three distinct periods.
  • Examination of philosophical and theological texts from 600 BCE to the present.
  • Tracing the conceptual shifts in moral discernment and its societal implications.

Main Results:

  • The Christian era significantly shaped the understanding of conscience as a moral faculty.
  • Post-Reformation and post-Christian developments show a progressive undermining of this concept.
  • The historical decline of the Christian notion of conscience correlates with societal fragmentation.

Conclusions:

  • The Christian concept of conscience represents a significant historical achievement with lasting benefits.
  • The erosion of this concept contributes to contemporary societal division.
  • Decreased emphasis on conscience may fuel hostility towards conscientious objection, particularly in medicine.