Student Essay on Weighing Your Consciences

An explanation of the difference between authoritarian and humanistic consciences, as provided in Erich Fromm's "Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem." Authoritarian conscience is followed because of either fear or the anticipation of a reward, while humanistic conscience is followed because a person knows that his/her actions, or decisions not to act, are morally correct and benefit humanity.

We have all watched cartoons where conscience comes into play. In the situation, the character is confronted with the angel and the devil on his shoulder. Based on how each plays up his side of the story, the character either chooses the angel, his conscience, or the devil, his carnal desires. But is everything as simple as the cartoon makes it seem? Erich Fromm, in "Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem" states choosing the "angel" because of the perception of good is just as bad as choosing the devil. Fromm also states disobedience of authoritarian conscience increases the ability to "be and to judge oneself." Because of this, humanistic conscience is more important. (2-3)

Authoritarian conscience, according to Fromm, is not the conscience from the perspective of a ruler. On the contrary, authoritarian conscience is "the.....