Discuss.-1) Is there a difference between conscience as 'the fear of being found out' and conscience as a Protestant revelation of the sinfulness of a possible action? Or is the 'fear of being found out' really at the core of the Protestant perspective?(pg 77-78)
Factual.-2) What does Russell say of the idea that 'rationalism, if allowed free play, will kill all the deeper emotions? (pg86)
I somewhat agree with Russell on his basic views of what conscience is. I would have to say though that it is incomplete and this incompletion is what I think leads him to the rest of his views about it and... rebellion for instance. In specific regard to the 'fear of being found out' I agree with this, but I would also pose the question of by whom are you afraid of being found out. As somewhat of the Protestant perspective I can say that my fear, as the center or 'simplist' layer of my conscience is not directed at men. It is directed at God.
If the fear is not being found out by man but God, then there is no safety in ones own mind. It’s a fundamental facet of religion that God is all-knowing. Those afraid of being seen as sinful ought to be more concerned with what God knows than man. In that same regard, if one truly wants to be seem in a good light he should follow the word of God and delight in the fact that he is as righteous as man can be. Sin ought not bring with it an attitude of despair but, should require a sense of relief and happiness when one makes the most effort to live a life without worldly sins that are condemned by God.
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