The extreme cultural relativism (ECR) conception is a contemporary sociological hypothesis, which accounts on the origin and functions of conscience from a secular approach. It, however, goes beyond this empirical hypothesis, and according to Hill’s, it perceives the promptings of conscience as nothing but feelings, which reflect on individuals’ internalization of the choice-guiding, cultural norms that they have internalized[1]. It also serves to promote social cohesion by disposing individuals to conform to group standards.
This conception blends the widely accepted casual explanation of the genesis as well as the social function of the feelings attributed to conscience and the controversial philosophical thesis. Hills asserts that ECR not only focuses on the origin of conscience but also views social function and reliability as a moral guide[2]. Therefore, with regards to reliability that reflects the norms individuals have taken from the environment, there is no objective standard by which one can determine some cultural norms are morally “justified” or “true.”
Butler’s views conscience as a reason in which one makes a moral judgment by reflection on what is morally right. This is however influenced by the nature of people and the prevailing situation[3]. His account of conscience is based on theological support but broaden into secular appeal. Hill view Butler as more inspiring than convincing in his teleological argument.
Kant views conscience as a something distinct, which manifest after one has made or accepts a moral judgment. Butler perceives conscience as a faculty by which one makes a moral judgment[4]. On the other hand, Kant view agrees with Butler for the general moral guidance that one should not depend on instinct but rather reason in deliberate reflection.
Work Cited
Hill, Thomas E. “Four Conceptions of Conscience.” Nomos, vol. 40, 1998, pp. 13–52. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/24219952.
[1]. Hill, Thomas “Four Conceptions of Conscience,” p.22
[2]. Ibid p.24
[3]. Ibid p.28
[4]. Ibid p.30
