Formation of conscience

Morality

Imagine that you overheardtalking children, plotting to do something »against the rules», something that they understand, is strictly prohibited. What arguments will lead those who refuse to participate in it?

- I will not do it. My mother will kill me.

- And I will not. I will be unpleasant. I guess I do not have to like it,

- I would not go that look, falling.

- I think it's a bad idea. We can get hurt.

- I will not go. This is wrong and bad.

- I do not want to participate. I do not want to disappoint their parents.

Imagine that you are listening to, as childrendiscuss the possible consequences of disobedience. What kind of remark you would like to hear from the mouth of your child? All six abandoned bad venture, but they have different causes. Some follow the rules out of fear of punishment or because they are afraid of getting caught, incurring the wrath of their parents. Others have a more profound reason: they think that they will feel if they break a rule. Others imagine how they affect the behavior of the parents. Are there any among these arguments make any difference? Whether all are equally good?

Essentially there is a difference?

These children were discussing some action, made their choices. Who directed the children in the decision-making process? After all, the parents were not there - or are they still present?

We would argue that, in a sense,Parents involved in the act of choice. Not in the flesh, of course, but as »an incorporated parent» helping awaken ethics and making the right decision. God created man so that he could introduce into our consciousness advice, values, comments of parents, who would become a part of our soul and guide us in life. »Train up a child in the way of his; he will not depart from it when is old »(Proverbs 22: 6). In a sense, parents are always »near», they stay with the child in the child. Our education becomes part of the internal system, which directs the child in his actions - a part of his conscience.

How to develop a conscience? Is it possible to cause damage to its development? Can you fix this damage?

Are there any preferred over other ways to educate the conscience? What should we focus on when we think about the moral development of the child?

Issues of conscience and ethics will be devoted to articles of this column.

What is conscience?

Have you ever wondered over the question, whatconscience? Most people probably did not think about it. I once heard the following definition: »Conscience - this is the part of you that tells you that you did something bad and make you regret it.» Many people take this definition. Of course, it is important to distinguish good from evil, and we need that inner voice that outraged if we break the rules.

But, nevertheless, define the notion»Conscience» is not easy. And theologians and psychologists disagree, arguing about whether a special part of the conscience of the human soul or not. Christian theologians discuss that conscience is a gift of God or some substitute for God. A lot of controversy on the question of how the conscience operates. Have you ever wondered where all is taken in us the ability to distinguish between good and evil, what is required to experience the feeling of a person who violates certain system of values? Should he feel »bad» - how bad, how long? Should he feel guilty? Is it always true demands of our conscience? Is it possible that our conscience is mistaken? How do I find it?

Эти вопросы, возникающие в связи с понятием «совесть», выходят далеко за пределы «технических проблем» богословов и психологов — они насущны для каждого родителя. Бог возложил на нас ответственность за развитие в детях этического чувства. Ребенку необходимо привить:

• the ability to distinguish between good and evil,

• system of values, which should be guided by the child,

• its own internal ability to make moral decisions

• capacity for self-correction,

• adequate internal reaction to the violation of these rules,

• a desire to do the right thing.

Если во взрослую жизнь ваш ребенок вступает, вооруженный всеми этими способностями» значит, вы справились со своей задачей. Рассмотрим, каким образом мы внедряем в ребенка сознание добра и зла, что способствует этому процессу и что препятствует ему.