Inner voice UPSC. Voice of Conscience Ethics UPSC. Ethics Notes UPSC
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Voice of Conscience UPSC (Inner voice)
The term ‘voice of conscience’ refers to an individual’s internal moral compass, a personal guide for differentiating right from wrong. It simply refers to a person’s inner sense of what is right and wrong. It is the intrinsic intuitive capacity to discriminate between right and wrong. Voice of conscience works as an alertness and alarm reminding an individual to stick to the moral act.
The concept of a conscience varies widely across different cultures and religions, some believe it is innate, a part of the human soul or consciousness. Others argue that it’s primarily shaped by societal norms and personal upbringing.
The voice of conscience, though subjective and variable among individuals, plays a crucial role in maintaining social order. It is an integral part of human morality and ethical decision-making.
Voice of Conscience as Source of Ethical Guidance
Voice of conscience has been the source of ethical decision-making for many great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. It acts as a source of ethical guidance in following manner:
- Individual’s internal moral compass of right and wrong
- Intuitive moral sense
- Reflects Internalized values and helps us avoid conflict of interest.
- Complementary to other ethical frameworks
- Helps in resolving ethical dilemmas.
- Ignoring conscience leads to feelings of guilt or remorse which helps a person to follow the right path again.
- Work as a gut feeling or intuition and help us in quick decisions making.
- It creates disgust against any unethical act, thus promoting morality.
- Conscience provides ethical guidance in situations where legal guidelines are not available or are ambiguous.
Limitations of Conscience
Despite its importance, there are several potential limitations to relying solely on conscience for guidance-
- The concept of conscience is highly subjective. This can lead to disagreements and conflicts.
- Conscience often promotes social dogmas.
- For example, one’s conscience may prevent him from eating food prepared by Dalits.
- It often does not provide specific guidance on complex ethical dilemmas. It leads to multiplicity and inconsistency in Ethical Guidance.
- This can also lead to a skewed sense (Bias and Self-Interest) of right and wrong. People often rationalize their actions in order to align with their personal interests or desires.
- Wrong training of conscience.
- Terrorist, Suicide bomber
- Conscience can be overtaken by societal or professional pressure.
- The human conscience, like any human faculty, is fallible. We can make mistakes in our moral judgement.
- The conscience does not work in strong emotional impulses, such as in a situation of extreme anger, the person’s intellect and conscience are unable to guide him.
- Mental health issues can distort a person’s conscience.
- Easy to overcome
- If you do a sin ones it is easy to do it again
Conclusion:
Therefore, while conscience can serve as a valuable guide, it is often necessary to supplement it with other sources of moral and ethical guidance, such as ethical theories, societal laws, and external advice or consultation.
When should we go with our Conscience?
While there are limitations to relying solely on conscience for guidance, there are also many situations where it can be valuable to follow your conscience.
- We should go with our conscience only when if it is in line with rational morality, Laws, Rules etc.
- When Laws and Rules are Absent or Insufficient use it after critically examine and evaluate it
- In case of Ethical Dilemmas, your conscience can help guide your decision.
- Personal Relationships and Interactions
- In Self-reflection, Personal Growth and ethical development
- Continuous learning about different ethical perspectives can help to refine and clarify your own moral compass
- It broaden the conscience.
Therefore, while conscience can serve as a valuable guide, it is often necessary to supplement it with other sources of moral and ethical guidance.
How to heed the voice of conscience?
Cultivate self-awareness, Practice yoga, mindfulness and meditation can help to quiet the mind, reduce external distractions, and enhance your ability to listen to your inner voice.
- Develop emotional Intelligence because the conscience does not work in strong emotional impulses.
- Reflection and introspection, take time for contemplation, Journal about your experiences and decisions
- Building moral courage to stand up for what you believe is right, even in the face of adversity.
- Policy of self-evaluation, self-punishment and self-reward – Mahatma Gandhi used it
- Practice moral imagination, Visualize the consequences of your actions
- Understanding of consequences: When we heed our inner voice, it becomes stronger. When we ignore our voice of conscience, it becomes weaker, a feeling of remorse and guilt arises and gradually we stop hearing our own inner voice. Hence, we must avoid doing any unethical actions to strengthen our voice of conscience.
- Question your motives, Examine the reasons behind your actions
- Learn from experience, it refines your moral compass
- Be open to change, Allow your conscience to evolve as you gain new knowledge and experiences
Remember, heeding the voice of conscience is not a onetime exercise, it is a personal journey, and it requires regular practice, patience, and commitment.
Antecedent conscience and Consequent conscience:
Antecedent conscience is that which acts as a guide to future actions, prompting to do them or avoid them. Consequent conscience is that which is acting as a judge of our past actions and acts as a source of our self-approval or remorse of the past actions.
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Voice of Conscience Ethics UPSC
Voice of Conscience UPSC
Ethics Notes UPSC