fear of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fear of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of anxiety or guilt related to one's moral beliefs or actions. Example: "His fear of conscience prevented him from lying, even when it would have been easier to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

According to Freud, the consequence of not obeying our conscience is guilt, which can be a factor in the development of neurosis; Freud claimed that both the cultural and individual super-ego set up strict ideal demands with regard to the moral aspects of certain decisions, disobedience to which provokes a 'fear of conscience'.

Wikipedia

While Hobbes beat the drums of ignorance and fear, Rousseau sang the praises of conscience, of charity, of fellow feeling, of virtue, of pious wonder in the face of God's creation.

The New York Times - Magazine

With what measure of fear, denial, calculation, conscience and contempt did neighbors who had proved their Aryan stock to Hitler's butchers make their accommodations with this Jewish exodus?

The New York Times

The NCAN joined with the National Assembly of Religious Women (NARW) to issue a joint statement: "The Roman Congregation for Religious in their fear of losing 'authority' has ignored the principle of freedom of conscience".

Wikipedia

Before her trial, Johnson told a crowd gathered outside her church ward building that she was "confident that the Prophet will – if necessary – step forward at the proper time to vindicate me, and to vindicate the constitutional rights of all citizens to exercise their political rights as conscience dictates, without fear of religious repression".

The New York Times

Furthermore, giving up their tax exempt status would allow all faith groups unfettered freedom to preach and teach according to the dictates of their conscience, without needless fear of governmental intervention.

Huffington Post

It's hard to know that although I was once the voice of conscience, I had to be taken out because of fears for my safety".

The New York Times

Some human rights advocates, even as they celebrated his release on Thursday, said they feared the government might have successfully muzzled one of the nation's most renowned voices of conscience.

The New York Times

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

A drama of conscience.

The Guardian

A dialogue of conscience.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fear of conscience", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. It implies a proactive avoidance of actions that would violate one's moral principles. Choose this phrase when the emphasis is on the anticipation of guilt or regret, rather than the feeling itself.

Common error

Avoid using "fear of conscience" interchangeably with "guilty conscience". The former describes the anticipation of moral discomfort, while the latter describes the feeling after committing an act that violates one's moral code.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fear of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the anxiety or apprehension associated with potentially violating one's moral or ethical principles. As shown in the provided examples by Ludwig, it highlights the internal conflict between desire and moral obligation.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fear of conscience" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes the anticipation of guilt or moral discomfort. While Ludwig AI considers this phrase correct and usable in written English, its frequency is currently limited. It is best employed when emphasizing the proactive avoidance of actions conflicting with one's moral compass. Alternatives such as "moral trepidation" or "ethical qualms" can offer nuanced variations of this concept, and avoid confusion with expressions such as a "guilty conscience". Given its formal register and the scarcity of examples, careful consideration of context is crucial for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guilt-ridden conscience

Replaces the emotion of 'fear' with the state of being 'guilt-ridden', emphasizing the feeling of guilt affecting the conscience.

moral trepidation

Substitutes 'fear' with 'trepidation' and 'conscience' with 'moral', highlighting a feeling of anxiety about ethical decisions.

ethical qualms

Replaces the more intense 'fear' with milder 'qualms', focusing on doubts or reservations regarding ethical behavior.

pangs of remorse

Focuses on the sharp pain of regret (remorse) as opposed to the anticipatory anxiety of fear, shifting the temporal focus to after an action.

ethical anxiety

Replaces 'fear' with 'anxiety', a closely related term, keeping the focus on ethical concerns.

unease of wrongdoing

Shifts from the conscience itself to the feeling of unease associated with the act of wrongdoing.

moral disquiet

Uses 'disquiet' to express a feeling of worry or anxiety about moral matters, reducing the intensity compared to 'fear'.

scruples

Emphasizes the hesitation or reluctance to do something considered wrong, implying an underlying fear of violating one's conscience.

moral apprehension

Uses 'apprehension' to suggest a feeling of anxiety or dread about potential moral consequences.

ethical dread

Substitutes 'fear' with 'dread', emphasizing a strong feeling of anxiety and aversion related to ethical matters.

FAQs

How can "fear of conscience" influence decision-making?

The "fear of conscience" can lead individuals to make decisions that align with their moral values, even when those decisions are difficult or unpopular. It acts as an internal check, preventing actions that would cause feelings of guilt or remorse.

What's the difference between "fear of conscience" and a "guilty conscience"?

"Fear of conscience" refers to the anticipation of feeling guilty or morally wrong if one takes a particular action. A "guilty conscience", on the other hand, is the feeling of remorse or regret experienced after committing an act that violates one's moral principles.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "fear of conscience"?

Use "fear of conscience" when you want to emphasize the proactive avoidance of actions that would violate someone's moral principles. It highlights the internal moral compass that guides decision-making.

What are some other ways to express the idea of "fear of conscience"?

You could use phrases like "moral trepidation", "ethical qualms", or "pangs of remorse" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.