[Trace14]

I saw something on tv, I think it was a CSI ad, that mentioned something about having a moral compass means nothing if you don't have a conscience. Are people born with a conscience and then environmental factors shape this thought, personality? Any opinions?

I think the word you are looking for here in conscience. Conscious means being awake, aware of one's surroundings.

I think it's a combo of nature and nurture, personally.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

I think the word you are looking for here in conscience. Conscious means being awake, aware of one's surroundings.

I think it's a combo of nature and nurture, personally.

Thanks for that grammar correction and opinion

My step-son has absolutely no conscience to speak of. He leaves people physically and emotionally hurt in his devastating wake everywhere he goes. Neither does he have any clue about what responsibility means. I recognised he was a sociopath by three years of age (now 25 and just a mess).

[vinniebird]

Originally Posted by Trace14

I saw something on tv, I think it was a CSI ad, that mentioned something about having a moral compass means nothing if you don't have a conscience. Are people born with a conscience and then environmental factors shape this thought, personality? Any opinions?

I grew up with two parents and a brother who are malignant narcissists and until I joined a support group I thought I was crazy, I have been to therapy and that is when I learned they are sociopaths due to the lack of conscience they all three have and their behavior but I also survived. I believe from all my readings and working mental health some people are born without a conscience but also environment can have a major impact. But the key is empathy I am the only one who is empathetic even to an extreme which makes my PTSD and this type of personality more difficult to engage in social situations. I am not able to let go of the past but the injury is still there. I was blessed with a wonderful husband who to this day struggles to understand my behavior He is starting to let me talk about the past and my family and just listen and now believe me. He is a masters in social work and did behavioral work but when you have a conscience you can not comprehend their are people who even are own parents want to harm you

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

My step-son has absolutely no conscience to speak of. He leaves people physically and emotionally hurt in his devastating wake everywhere he goes. Neither does he have any clue about what responsibility means. I recognised he was a sociopath by three years of age (now 25 and just a mess).

Wow, I'm so sorry. Better keep a close eye on him at all times.

[amandalouise]

here where I am a conscience is knowing right from wrong, having morals and principals....

example I know that stealing is wrong.

in reference to the tv show... Just about every show and every criminal they are after the CSI team saystheir "perps dont have a conscience" by that the shows characters mean the criminals dont know right from wrong, they do wrong and have no feelings of remorse or regret.

another poster mentioned the word conscious.... here where I am this means a person is not in a coma, not un conscious. when the crime show CSI uses this term they mean the victim that is in the hospital has come out of their coma or other unconscious state so that they (the CSI team can go to the hospital and question them to find out what happened and if the victim can identify the criminal that hurt them.

CSI is a crime show it stands for Crime Scene Investigation. there are many shows now with the CSI..... theres Miami, New York , Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Cyber crimes. if you watch any of these like I do, you will hear both those many times.

[yogurtssss]

I think people are just born with it. Sometimes their personality can effect their moral compass.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by vinniebird

I grew up with two parents and a brother who are malignant narcissists and until I joined a support group I thought I was crazy, I have been to therapy and that is when I learned they are sociopaths due to the lack of conscience they all three have and their behavior but I also survived. I believe from all my readings and working mental health some people are born without a conscience but also environment can have a major impact. But the key is empathy I am the only one who is empathetic even to an extreme which makes my PTSD and this type of personality more difficult to engage in social situations. I am not able to let go of the past but the injury is still there. I was blessed with a wonderful husband who to this day struggles to understand my behavior He is starting to let me talk about the past and my family and just listen and now believe me. He is a masters in social work and did behavioral work but when you have a conscience you can not comprehend their are people who even are own parents want to harm you

Do you think empathy is a result of having a conscience? I'm glad your husband is around to help you through your healing. I guess what I'm really asking is can people be born mean and evil, or does their environment make them that way?

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

here where I am a conscience is knowing right from wrong, having morals and principals....

example I know that stealing is wrong.

in reference to the tv show... Just about every show and every criminal they are after the CSI team saystheir "perps dont have a conscience" by that the shows characters mean the criminals dont know right from wrong, they do wrong and have no feelings of remorse or regret.

another poster mentioned the word conscious.... here where I am this means a person is not in a coma, not un conscious. when the crime show CSI uses this term they mean the victim that is in the hospital has come out of their coma or other unconscious state so that they (the CSI team can go to the hospital and question them to find out what happened and if the victim can identify the criminal that hurt them.

CSI is a crime show it stands for Crime Scene Investigation. there are many shows now with the CSI..... theres Miami, New York , Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Cyber crimes. if you watch any of these like I do, you will hear both those many times.

I think it was a CSI Las Vegas that had that comment. I like Criminal Minds also, especially if Shemar is there.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by vinniebird

I grew up with two parents and a brother who are malignant narcissists and until I joined a support group I thought I was crazy, I have been to therapy and that is when I learned they are sociopaths due to the lack of conscience they all three have and their behavior but I also survived. I believe from all my readings and working mental health some people are born without a conscience but also environment can have a major impact. But the key is empathy I am the only one who is empathetic even to an extreme which makes my PTSD and this type of personality more difficult to engage in social situations. I am not able to let go of the past but the injury is still there. I was blessed with a wonderful husband who to this day struggles to understand my behavior He is starting to let me talk about the past and my family and just listen and now believe me. He is a masters in social work and did behavioral work but when you have a conscience you can not comprehend their are people who even are own parents want to harm you

Welcome to PC

[mote.of.soul]

I think people are born with varying degrees of conscience. Which can be nurtured to grow further or not.

[Dog on a Tree]

I don't know. I can only speak for myself.
I've always had morality and feelings. Something unfortunate happens to a random person like a prank. I would feel bad for that person. As opposed to my sibling(s) who would laugh.
Things like that and more is where in many ways is where myself and my family differ.

At the same time it has meant that my father and even my brother, at least one of them saw me as a weakling. But i don't see having morales, etc as a weakness at all, not even a fraction. I see it as a strength off the highest level.