Knowing versus 'Knowing' 189Most traditional rules of conscience counterbalance a „bait‟ rooted in
natural pleasure with a „hook‟ based in disapproval.A I suggest that this is
why people generally consider conscience to be „the little voice that stops
me from having fun.‟ The „fun‟ comes from natural pleasure, whereas the
„little voice‟ reminds
me that someone might
dispense disapproval.
With this type of
arrangement, I suggest
that temptation will
always be present.
What is temptation?
Let me suggest a
simple definition:
Temptation is the
mental feeling that
results from combining
a „bait‟ which is always
present with a „hook‟ that is sometimes present. This makes it possible to
enjoy the „bait‟ without getting caught by the „hook.‟ With this
combination, the mind will not try to avoid the „bait.‟ Instead, it will
attempt to take the „bait‟ while avoiding the „hook.‟ In other words,
thinking will center on ways of having fun without getting caught. Instead
of avoiding the cookie, I will ponder how I can take the cookie and avoid
mother.
What produces an uncertain „hook‟? Let me review. First, the bad
consequence upon which the mental „hook‟ of conscience is based may be
statistical. Second, mental knowing can be inadequate; the consequence
itself may be definite enough, but my knowledge of it is not. Third, the
consequence may be a form of disapproval from people, who, by nature,
have limited knowledge and awareness. I suggest that any of these three
situations will create a form of conscience which is plagued with feelings
of temptation.
Let us see now if it is possible to alter hybrid conscience. Examine the
rule: “Take a cookie and you will get fat.” In this case both cause and
effect come from the natural world—both involve facts and not 'facts.'
Eating too much will make me fat regardless of whether my indulging is
seen by others or not. I suggest that this combination can move beyond
temptation, because the consequence is always and irrevocably present.
A Remember that the „hook‟ is not the same as the punishment. Rather, the
„hook‟ is the mental image of impending punishment. Similarly, the „bait‟
is a mental picture given substance by external reality.
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