Crisis of Conscience : Ethical Decision Making

Relevance: Mains: G.S paper IV: Ethics

What is meant by Conscience?

Conscience is the part of your mind that tells you whether what you are doing is morally right or wrong. In short, conscience is a term which we use to denote the inner mind.

Crisis of Conscience

Crisis of conscience is a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what is the right thing to do. The term is also used when someone is worrying because they think that they have done something unfair or morally wrong.

It is a case of ethical dilemma, but often in a more strong sense. When there is a crisis of conscience, the individual fear that his action may be against the voice of conscience and hence ethically wrong.

So, then, what is voice of conscience?

Voice of Conscience

Voice of conscience corresponds to an inner voice that judges your behavior. Voice of conscience is the source of ethical decision making for many. A famous example is Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi says : “The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.”

How do you prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience?

• Pause and think about the dimensions of issue.
• Practice the power of silence.
• Meditation and prayer.
• Free yourself from external influences and selfish interests.

Quotes related to conscience :

1. In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place. – Mahatma Gandhi.
2. There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts. – Mahatma Gandhi.
3. Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it. – Albert Einstein.