This paper examines the role and value of conscience. Primarily, three basic conclusions are advanced: (1) that action in accord with conscience is productive of psychological health; (2) that for conscience to serve as an adequate guide to conduct it has to be developed; and (3) that both the expression and development of conscience require, or at least appreciably benefit from, the greatest amount of social liberty possible. In accord with the interdisciplinary nature of this project, the aforesaid conclusions were drawn (and are explored) from the diverse disciplinary perspectives of psychology, philosophy, religious studies, and history. Ultimately, more questions are raised than answered. Nevertheless, there is a central argument: conscience matters.
