Conscience

    OCR
    A-Level

    Examination of the nature, origin, and function of conscience in ethical decision-making. Candidates must evaluate the tension between theological definitions (conscience as the voice of God or God-given faculty of reason) and secular psychological explanations (conscience as social conditioning or developmental mechanism). Analysis focuses on the authority of conscience, the problem of error (vincible vs. invincible ignorance), and the implications for moral responsibility.

    5
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    5
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Aquinas' definition of Synderesis: 'Do good and avoid evil'
    • The distinction between Vincible (blameworthy) and Invincible (not blameworthy) ignorance
    • Freud's publication 'The Ego and the Id' (1923)
    • The concept of the 'Primal Horde' in Freud's explanation of collective guilt
    • Fromm's distinction between Authoritarian and Humanistic conscience (often used for enrichment)

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have defined the terms accurately (AO1), now critique whether this concept holds up against modern psychological evidence (AO2)"
    • "Avoid simply listing what Aquinas said; explain the *implications* of his view on Vincible Ignorance for moral responsibility"
    • "Your comparison is valid, but you need to evaluate the *validity* of Freud's methodology—is it scientifically falsifiable?"
    • "Excellent use of technical terminology; ensure you link the concept of 'Ratio' directly to the idea of divine origin vs human faculty"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Define Aquinas' conscience not as a 'voice' but as the act of applying reason (conscientia) derived from the habit of synderesis
    • Explain Freud's tripartite personality structure, specifically the Superego as the repository of internalised parental and societal authority
    • Differentiate between Vincible Ignorance (culpable) and Invincible Ignorance (non-culpable) in Aquinas' framework
    • Evaluate the role of guilt: for Aquinas, a byproduct of going against reason; for Freud, the primary function of the conscience
    • Critically assess whether conscience is a reliable guide to ethical decision-making or merely a reflection of subjective upbringing

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Structure the essay thematically (e.g., 'Origin', 'Reliability', 'Guilt') rather than by thinker to force AO2 analysis
    • 💡Use specific technical vocabulary: 'Ratio', 'Synderesis', 'Vincible Ignorance', 'Oedipus Complex', 'Primal Horde'
    • 💡Ensure the conclusion provides a definitive judgment on which view is more persuasive and why, rather than sitting on the fence
    • 💡Allocate 40% of effort to explaining the theories (AO1) and 60% to evaluating their strengths and weaknesses (AO2)

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Asserting Aquinas believes conscience is the literal 'voice of God' (confusing him with Newman or Augustine)
    • Failing to distinguish between Synderesis (the habit/potential) and Conscientia (the act)
    • Reducing Freud's theory to purely sexual drives without explaining the mechanism of the Superego and authority figures
    • Presenting two separate mini-essays (one on Aquinas, one on Freud) without engaging in critical dialogue or comparison

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Assess
    Critically assess
    Evaluate
    Discuss
    To what extent
    Compare

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