Conscience vs. Intuition — What's the Difference?

A guiding principle in matters of right and wrong.

The faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes.

The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.

A thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.

A person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behavior.

The ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.

The part of the mind that makes you aware of your actions as being morally right or wrong.

The power of obtaining knowledge that cannot be acquired either by inference or observation, by reason or experience.

A source of moral or ethical judgment or pronouncement.

Immediate understanding, knowledge, or awareness, derived neither from perception nor reasoning.

Conscience is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual's moral philosophy or value system. Conscience stands in contrast to elicited emotion or thought due to associations based on immediate sensory perceptions and reflexive responses, as in sympathetic central nervous system responses.

Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without recourse to conscious reasoning. Different fields use the word "intuition" in very different ways, including but not limited to: direct access to unconscious knowledge; unconscious cognition; inner sensing; inner insight to unconscious pattern-recognition; and the ability to understand something instinctively, without any need for conscious reasoning.The word intuition comes from the Latin verb intueri translated as "consider" or from the late middle English word intuit, "to contemplate".

A person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behaviour

The ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning

An awareness of morality in regard to one's behavior; a sense of right and wrong that urges one to act morally

The faculty of knowing or understanding something without reasoning or proof.

A source of moral or ethical judgment or pronouncement

An impression or insight gained by the use of this faculty

Conformity to one's own sense of right conduct

Immediate cognition without the use of conscious rational processes.

The part of the superego in psychoanalysis that judges the ethical nature of one's actions and thoughts and then transmits such determinations to the ego for consideration.

A perceptive insight gained by the use of this faculty.

(Obsolete) Consciousness or awareness of something.

A looking after; a regard to.

The moral sense of right and wrong, chiefly as it affects a person’s own behaviour and forms their attitude to their past actions.

Direct apprehension or cognition; immediate knowledge, as in perception or consciousness; - distinguished from "mediate" knowledge, as in reasoning; as, the mind knows by intuition that black is not white, that a circle is not a square, that three are more than two, etc.; quick or ready insight or apprehension.

A personification of the moral sense of right and wrong, usually in the form of a person, a being or merely a voice that gives moral lessons and advices.

Any object or truth discerned by intuition.

(obsolete) Consciousness; thinking; awareness, especially self-awareness.

Any quick insight, recognized immediately without a reasoning process; a belief arrived at unconsciously; - often it is based on extensive experience of a subject.

Knowledge of one's own thoughts or actions; consciousness.

The ability to have insight into a matter without conscious thought; as, his chemical intuition allowed him to predict compound conformations without any conscious calculation; a mother's intuition often tells her what is best for her child.

The faculty, power, or inward principle which decides as to the character of one's own actions, purposes, and affections, warning against and condemning that which is wrong, and approving and prompting to that which is right; the moral faculty passing judgment on one's self; the moral sense.

Instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)

The estimate or determination of conscience; conviction or right or duty.

An impression that something might be the case;

Tenderness of feeling; pity.

Motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

Conformity to one's own sense of right conduct;

A feeling of shame when you do something immoral;

Yes, conscience can sometimes conflict with intuition, especially when a morally reasoned decision opposes a gut feeling.

Developing a stronger conscience involves education, self-reflection, and actively engaging with diverse ethical perspectives and moral dilemmas.

Ignoring one’s conscience can lead to feelings of guilt, regret, and moral conflict.

No, while intuition can often be helpful, it is not always accurate and can be influenced by biases and incomplete information.

The primary function of conscience is to guide individuals in making moral and ethical decisions based on societal norms and personal values.

Intuition works by providing immediate insights and understandings without conscious reasoning, often based on subconscious cues and past experiences.

Culture plays a significant role in shaping one’s conscience, as it provides the moral and ethical framework within which individuals learn what is considered right or wrong.

Conscience is developed through external influences like upbringing and education, whereas intuition is developed internally, often shaped by subconscious experiences and innate responses.

Intuition can be a useful aid in decision-making, but it is advisable to also consider rational analysis and ethical implications in critical decisions.

Intuition can significantly influence creativity by allowing individuals to make leaps in thinking and insights without the constraints of rational processing.