Is the conscience real or just something that's molded by society?

[Cicero]

So I was thinking, is the conscience real? In a religious community, it's taught that masturbation is wrong, homosexuality is wrong, and looking at a woman/man with lust is wrong. So if you were to masturbate, your conscience would say that what your doing is wrong. If you were to not grow up in a religious community, your conscience would be less likely to say that masturbation is wrong.

[Lost in the Echo]

Yes, I agree with you completely.

Most, if not all of your conscience has to do with your beliefs and the beliefs of the people around you.
If someone does something that society considers to be "bad", then they would have a guilty conscience.
So yeah, basically everything on your conscience is caused by your beliefs, and the beliefs of the people around you.

So, that's why christians have a guilty conscience if they masturbate or look at someone with lust.

[FreeFall]

I think it's real. Though I think it depends on how strong it is. If you're taught that something's wrong your whole life, it's natural to assume that's what they will believe. If they're "weak", I'm trying to say if they're just going along with what they're taught and not try and branch out but my words are failing me pathetically right now, they will deem it wrong based from how they were raised and taught and perhaps even their own self standing stance.
We're all taught cheating is wrong. Don't cheat on a test, don't cheat on your partner, don't cheat in sports. I can cheat on a test and not even bat an eyelash, but I'd rather die than cheat on my boyfriend. Some cannot bring themselves to cheat, others can do it like it's their full force nature. Some feel so guilty they confess to what they have done, other's treat it like they've just picked lint off of their shirt, they don't care. Some do it again and again and still feel the guilt, yet they have no problem cheating they'll just confess again.
I was raised in a religious setting so I understand that masturbation fear some have. Don't touch yourself, it's satan's hand, don't fall into temptation even if it's of the self, and when I was 13 I was terrified but my health class had said it was natural and healthy. So far god has not struck me down and I feel fine, my conscious doesn't feel guilt or shame.
I think I'm failing but I'm attempting to say that if someone continues on under how they were raised, they are more partial to having a conscious fitting what was molded for them. If they branch out, it may take time, but they may form their own conclusions and feelings on something. Or they may think, well what I was taught is right, I've seen the other side of the fence I don't like it at all. It may depend on the person, but we all feel guilt for different things to a different extent.

So I think it's real, it can be molded yes, but that doesn't make it any less real in my opinion.

[FergusDunn]

So I was thinking, is the conscience real? In a religious community, it's taught that masturbation is wrong, homosexuality is wrong, and looking at a woman/man with lust is wrong. So if you were to masturbate, your conscience would say that what your doing is wrong. If you were to not grow up in a religious community, your conscience would be less likely to say that masturbation is wrong.



Another good question -

I think that our conscience is molded by society - but additionally some may have a sense of guilt at certain actions or perhaps with masturbation the effect of hormone release can trigger such thoughts.

So much of our self is moulded by society and society as a youngster is limited to ones parents - wider family and school -

I would hate to offend but I see religion as a few trying to control the many
but hey ho each to thier own.

[Abyssal Echo]

Yes, I agree with you completely.

Most, if not all of your conscience has to do with your beliefs and the beliefs of the people around you.
If someone does something that society considers to be "bad", then they would have a guilty conscience.
So yeah, basically everything on your conscience is caused by your beliefs, and the beliefs of the people around you.

So, that's why christians have a guilty conscience if they masturbate or look at someone with lust.

have to agree with Bo and Freefall

[Hypers]

It's molded by society. Everyone is taught that stealing is bad. Christians are told to not commit sins by the Bible. Without these, earth would be a mess.

[Gigablue]

I think it is partially shaped by society, but also partly innate. Even if not taught by society, people will have natural aversions to certain actions, and would feel guilty if they did them. However, many aspects of the conscience are just social constructs.

[PrimedPenguin]

Your conscience is effected heavily by what your beliefs are the beliefs of others around you. Ive grown up going to church hearing how homosexuality and lust is bad but I didnt believe them and I do it now knowing its not bad so I assume there are exceptions to that.

[PinkFloyd]

Your "conscious" in my opinion is you autimatically asking yourself: "Is this the right thing to do?" It has a lot to do with your beliefs. If I grew up with my parents telling me that Robbing a liquor store is just fine then I wouldnt think twice befor doing it. Do you see what Im geting at? But, yeh, I agree with you. :)

[Drew5]

From the movie, The Matrix - What is real?

[Manjusri]

No, i don't believed it's formed by society - however it is definitely influenced by society.

Your conscience is a contradiction of your actions and emotions within your own head. The contradictions come from past experiences, childhood memories such as learning what is right and wrong, and whatever situation you may be in at the time of 'consulting' your conscience.

So you notice these contradictions are influenced primarily by memories, which in some sense i guess could be considered society. However these contradictions are also equally based on the wiring of your neurological system.

Some people - such as sociopaths or serial killers - are unable to decipher between what is right and what is wrong. This is because of an excess of certain chemicals in their brain, which is a mental health problem. The lack of understanding between good and evil would involve consulting their conscience. This is entirely against society, and therefore is not molded by it.

The brain works within itself, to do this it is required to take in it's surroundings and the experiences in which you've been through. Your conscience is manifested within your brain, so it goes through the same process. As i've said before, society does influence your conscience, however the wiring of your neurological system is what ultimately forms it.

[CharlieFinley]

Of course it's formed by social interactions. That in no way means it isn't "real," however. Laws are formed by society. They're real.