188 A Programmer’s Guide to the Mind
comes from people; it is a practical form of disapproval.A If mother does
not know about my crime, then I will not be punished. Even if mother does
find out, she may change her mind and decide not to punish me.
I suggest that mixing natural feedback with approval generates a
conscience which fades in and out. For instance, the taste of the cookie is
based in natural feedback; this sensation is always present. Therefore, the
„bait‟ will be stable. But, the punishment comes from mother, who may or
may not be present. Therefore, the mental „hook‟ will be unreliable. As a
result, the emotion associated with eating a cookie will vary all the way
from good to bad, depending upon mother‟s location and knowledge.
Again we have the problem of a statistical connection between offense and
punishment.
Natural conscience and Approval conscience are incompatible.- Natural conscience is rooted in „hardware.‟
It operates at all times and cannot be altered. - Approval conscience is the result of „software.‟
Others must know to disapprove, and opinions can be altered.
Conscience which mixes natural result and approval will be unstable.
Desire will depend upon the presence or absence of people.
There will always be temptation.
A Yes, the spanking also involves physical pain and pleasure, just as eating
the cookie does. However, the taste of the cookie does not depend upon the
opinions of other people, whereas the intensity of the spanking is very
definitely dependent upon the opinion of my mother. As long as my taste
buds are reasonably healthy, the connection between „cookies‟ and „tasting
good‟ is always present. On the other hand, the link between „mother‟ and
„spanking‟ may be less certain.