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Conscience Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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conscience

[ˈkɒnʃəns ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in moral decision-making

Conscience is a person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behavior. It is often described as a voice within that tells us whether our actions are morally right or wrong.

Synonyms

ethics, morality, principles.

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Word Description / Examples
conscience

Used to describe an inner feeling or voice that guides a person's sense of right and wrong. It is often referred to in situations involving guilt or integrity.

  • She couldn't ignore her conscience and decided to return the lost wallet to its owner.
  • His conscience wouldn't let him cheat on the exam.
morality

Describes principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. It is often used in broader philosophical, cultural, or religious contexts.

  • Different cultures have different views on morality.
  • The debate on the morality of capital punishment continues to divide society.
ethics

Refers to moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. Often used in professional and academic contexts related to rules and guidelines.

  • Medical professionals must adhere to strict ethics to ensure patient safety.
  • Business ethics require companies to be honest with their customers.
principles

Refers to fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. Used to describe personal standards or convictions.

  • He refused the offer because it went against his principles.
  • The company operates on the principles of honesty and transparency.

Examples of usage

  • My conscience tells me that cheating on the exam is wrong.
  • She couldn't live with herself after stealing from the charity, as her conscience was troubled.
  • The decision to donate to the orphanage was made based on his conscience.
  • His conscience wouldn't allow him to walk away without helping the injured man.
  • Following your conscience is important in making ethical decisions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Socrates and Plato discussed the role of conscience in ethical decision-making.
  • Immanuel Kant believed that conscience is a rational guide to moral behavior, acting as a 'moral compass'.
  • Existentialists argue that conscience can lead individuals to create their own values in a world without objective morality.

Psychology

  • Psychologists suggest that conscience develops through socialization and personal experiences.
  • Some theories propose that our conscience functions similarly to an inner critic, influencing behavior.
  • Research shows that a well-developed conscience can lead to more empathic behavior and moral reasoning.

Literature

  • Many literary classics explore the theme of conscience, portraying internal conflicts, such as in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
  • In 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', the protagonist struggles with his conscience over slavery and friendship.
  • Conscience often serves as a character's guiding force, driving the plot and moral dilemmas in stories.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often hear their conscience represented as a voice or angel telling them what to do.
  • The phrase 'conscience clear' is frequently used in music and literature to denote the feeling of having acted morally.
  • Popular cartoons sometimes personify conscience as a little angel and devil on a character's shoulders, symbolizing good and bad choices.

Origin of 'conscience'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin 'conscientia', meaning 'knowledge within'.
  • Historically, it has roots in the philosophical discussions of morality dating back to ancient civilizations.
  • The term has evolved over centuries, signifying deeper awareness of moral judgments.

The word 'conscience' originated from the Latin word 'conscientia', which means 'knowledge within oneself'. It has been used in English since the 13th century to refer to an inner feeling or voice viewed as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.

See also: geoscience, prescience, science, scientific, scientist, scientists.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,951, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.