Conscience

Definition

Conscience is a noun that refers to a person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behavior. It is the internal sense of what is morally correct or incorrect in one's conduct or motives, urging the individual to act according to moral principles.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
• Respelling: KON-shuhns

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkɒnʃəns/
• Respelling: KON-shuhns

The pronunciation of "conscience" is largely consistent between American and British English, with a slight difference in the vowel sound in the first syllable.

Etymology

The word "conscience" comes from the Latin "conscientia," meaning "knowledge within oneself," from "con-" (with) and "scire" (to know). The term entered the English language in the Middle English period, retaining its sense of moral knowledge or awareness.

Derivatives

• Conscientious (adjective)
• Conscientiously (adverb)
• Conscientiousness (noun)
• Subconscious (adjective)
• Unconscious (adjective)

Synonyms

• Morality
• Scruples
• Ethics

Antonyms

• Immorality
• Indifference
• Unconcern

Usage

The term "conscience" is often used to describe the internal moral compass that guides a person's decisions and actions. For instance, "He couldn't ignore his conscience and decided to confess," or "Her conscience wouldn't allow her to take credit for someone else's work." It is frequently invoked in discussions of ethics, morality, and personal responsibility.

Related Terms

• Moral Compass: An internal guide to what is right and wrong in one's behavior.
• Ethics: Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.
• Guilt: A feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The inner sense of what is morally right or wrong in one's conduct: This refers to the guiding principle that helps an individual distinguish between good and bad actions.
  • Example: "Her conscience prevented her from cheating on the exam."
• The awareness of one's own morality: Refers to the self-reflection on one's actions and decisions based on moral or ethical principles.
  • Example: "He wrestled with his conscience over the difficult decision."