Conscience was for long thought to be the “voice of God” speaking to
the spiritual ear of man. Nowadays, a more matter-of-fact solution has
been sought, and, to a certain extent, found. Modern psychological
investigations have deprived conscience of its supernatural origin.
Until these newer researches were undertaken, however, any clear
understanding as to the nature of conscience was impossible. (See,
_e. g._ George W. Reid’s “Conscience,” and Hastings Rashdall’s
“Is Conscience an Emotion?”) With a clearer understanding of the
subconscious mind, came greater light. We now believe that conscience
is, very largely, the inhibitory action of a portion of the
subconscious mind, which inhibition is exercised whenever the thoughts
or the actions of the individual run counter to those generally
accepted by the community in which he dwells, or by his own individual
up-bringing, or both. It is a sort of Censor; but it is an acquired
thing, which has come into being, and evolved, like everything else.
What the conscience of one man would prevent him from doing, another
will do without the slightest qualms. Conscience is not, therefore,
a universal principle, judging good and bad, alike in all men. It
is a type of repression, exercised upon us from within. Early moral
precepts, etc., have much to do with its formation. Here, then, we find
the psychological basis for the existence of conscience, which is more
or less active in all of us, according to our heredity, environment,
education, etc. It is a normal attribute of the inner man.