Noachic Radio

The concept of conscience, a guiding force within the human psyche, has been a subject of profound exploration by thinkers across diverse philosophical and psychological landscapes. Albert Camus, the existentialist philosopher, and Erich Fromm, the humanistic psychologist, offer distinct perspectives on conscience, each rooted in their unique philosophical and psychological frameworks.

The humane conscience, and thus the development level of human potential and capabilities, represents the progression of psychological and existential identity. This signifies the development of identity, which we express as our own. Therefore, the humane conscience emerges as a product and function of an existential dimension, firmly manifesting as a dynamism and expression in the realm of human capabilities. Within this dimensional existence, humanity finds self-approval, personal reward, joy, and happiness as a result of its own production, creating humanity and personal vitality.

The humane conscience intervenes in our lives, coming into play when we deviate from our path and betray ourselves with wrongful actions. This situation arises when individuals surrender to “alienation”; a change in the essence of human being leading to shifts such as adaptation, social conformity, insensitivity, hostility, destructiveness, and necrophilia, denying the positivity of life and existence.

Anxiety is the most common medical consequence. However, to act in such a way in our lives, the conscience must be a loyal companion in the challenging “art of living,” serving as a reliable ally and never behaving despotically or authoritatively like a harsh judge. It becomes a symbol of the responsibility an individual holds for oneself, individual subjectivity, and universal humanity, bringing the individual closer to their own truth and life.

Erich Fromm on Conscience

According to Fromm, the “authoritarian conscience is the voice of an internalized external authority” and is consistent with what Freud defined as the superego. The dictates of authority can be summarized as “norms given by authority, not because they are good.” “Good conscience is the awareness of pleasing authority; guilty conscience is the awareness of not pleasing it.”

The authoritarian conscience is based on admiration for authority and, most importantly, the fear of rejecting authority rather than just punishment. In an authoritarian situation, the main offenses are rebellion against authority, disobedience, criticism, and attempts to be like authority. Fromm claims that the handling of parental authority and how children cope with it emerges as a key issue in neurosis. Children are made to feel guilty if they express criticism or anger and fail to meet their parents’ needs. The anger generated by obedience eventually turns inward.

Fromm believed that the humane conscience becomes stronger when an individual leads a productive life, allowing them to express their abilities to the world and establish their identity, “I am I,” across all aspects of human life through love, reason, creativity, and freedom. In conclusion, the existence and activity of the humane conscience are indicative of an individual’s high productivity, whereas its absence or weakness emphasizes a departure from the true self and “alienation,” manifesting as feelings of guilt, dissatisfaction, restlessness, and general discomfort.

Finally, Fromm emphasizes the instrumental meaning of authoritarian ethics: “not only does a strong dependence reinforce guilt feelings, but guilt feelings also strengthen a strong dependence.” If a child succumbs in the struggle to be oneself, the result is “self-weakening and replacement of a genuine self with a mimicked one.” The most significant sign of defeat appears as “guilty conscience.” In contrast, humanistic conscience is “not the internalized voice of an authority… it is our own voice.” This is a reaction to the malfunctioning or non-functioning of our total personality. Because it is a reaction of our total personality, conscience has not only an informative but also an emotional quality.

Conscience is the “voice of our real self, calling us back to ourselves… to become what we potentially are.” It can also be called the “voice of care for ourselves.” Fromm notes that in current conditions, this voice is weak, overshadowed by the voice of the authoritarian conscience. An expression of humanistic conscience is the fear of aging and death, a consequence of not fully living one’s life. Fromm, speaking of speech and thought, notes that humanistic conscience develops only in a social and cultural context.

Albert Camus on Conscience

Albert Camus, a renowned French philosopher and author, approached the concept of conscience with a unique perspective deeply rooted in his philosophy of absurdism. At the core of Camus’ thought is the acknowledgment of life’s inherent meaninglessness and the human struggle to find purpose in an indifferent universe. In his influential essay “The Myth of Sisyphus,” Camus introduces the idea of the absurd, emphasizing the futility of the human quest for objective meaning. Conscience, in Camus’ view, becomes a complex interplay between individual choices and the seemingly irrational nature of existence. Rather than conforming to established moral norms, Camus encourages individuals to confront the absurd and rebel against it.

Central to Camus’ exploration of conscience is the figure of Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder uphill repeatedly. Sisyphus becomes a symbolic representation of the human condition – persisting in the face of a seemingly meaningless task. This metaphorical struggle exemplifies Camus’ call for rebellion against the absurdity of life. Conscience, in this context, involves a conscious choice to rebel, to create one’s own values, and to live authentically despite the inherent lack of cosmic meaning.

In his novel “The Stranger,” Camus provides a literary portrayal of his philosophical ideas. The protagonist, Meursault, embodies an existential indifference to societal norms and moral conventions. His actions, seemingly devoid of remorse or conventional morality, challenge the traditional understanding of conscience. Meursault’s narrative prompts reflection on the nature of guilt, morality, and the role of conscience in a universe devoid of inherent meaning.

Camus’ ideas on conscience are characterized by an emphasis on individual responsibility and the necessity of personal rebellion against the absurd. Rather than seeking universal moral truths, he advocates for an authentic engagement with life, where individuals create their own meaning in the face of an indifferent cosmos. Conscience, for Camus, is a dynamic force that emerges from the individual’s confrontation with the absurd, guiding them in the ethical navigation of a seemingly purposeless existence.

From My Perspective

In light of these explanations, I can say that an individual is caught between both humanistic and authoritarian consciences. If the individual does not listen to the authoritarian conscience, society around them falls into a sense of guilt. Similarly, if the individual does not listen to the humanistic conscience, they are left facing the fear of aging and death. The situation awaiting the individual caught between these two internal conflicts is to continue flowing in a room covered with mirrors.

ZS.