I have always been intrigued by the workings of conscience. What has this fascination left me with? The idea that there are distinct levels of conscience within people and when I say within people; within the same kind of people you possibly have employed.
Levels of Conscience
Level 0 – no visible conscience – this is not to say a conscience is completely lacking, it simply does not show in the person’s choices and behaviour.
Level 1 – immature conscience – important lessons about the difference between right and wrong are still being learnt.
Level 2 – abnormal conscience – where the person’s idea of right and wrong contradicts with what people in general view as appropriate behaviour.
Level 3 – silent conscience – a normal conscience exists, it just lacks a voice.
Level 4 – resistant conscience – slow on the uptake as changes in the rules aren’t immediately accepted.
Level 5 – excused conscience – a conscience with a voice that is constantly argued against thereby justifying non-adherence.
Level 6 – someone is watching – when people do the right thing only because someone might be watching.
Level 7 – their God is watching – when people live with the idea that their actions are being judged by a God they cannot see.
Level 8 – fully engaged – the person them self is watching all the time and everywhere.
Level 9 – fully engaged and ever growing – the person constantly monitors personal adherence and is always growing their idea of right and wrong through treating everyone and everything as their teacher.
Level 10 – 100% no-harm – where zero harm is caused to everyone and everything through a conscience of universal proportions.
Now have some fun by matching the following daily situations against one of my observed levels.
- Flushing the toilet in your house less during a severe drought.
- Worrying about the effects of Karma.
- Throwing a cigarette butt on the ground next to a dustbin.
- Recycling your bottles and cans.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Supporting meat free Mondays.
- Slowing down at the speed camera.
- Living with empathy.
- Murdering someone for their cell phone.
- Using state funds to build your personal swimming pool.
- Arriving late for a meeting.
- Throwing a banana peel out of your car window in a wilderness area.
- Installing a solar energy system for your house.
Where are you?
Are you consistent?
Where would you like to be?
Where are your team members?
Where would you like them to be?
By Louis Gerke
Development Facilitator – The Ripple Effect
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Hi Louis
I find the levels of consciousness intriguing.
I have been spending a lot of time travelling between Johannesburg and Cape Town and have been amazed by the differences in people’s behaviour on more than one occasion. In Joburg it is a regular occurrence to see someone throwing a beer bottle out of their car window. In all my time in the Somerset West/Stellenbosch area I can’t recall seeing the same behaviour.
Interestingly it seems there is a link between prosperity and level of conciousness (To a degree). People in more prosperous areas seem to be more concious of those around them, taking the extra time to put their apple cores in the bin, driving more considerately, participating in recycling schemes etc. I think that this is beyond coincidence, I propose that these people tend to prosper because they are more concientious. The old saying of “As you sow, you shall reap” comes to mind.
Thanks for another thought-provoking article.
Kind regards
Hi Daven
Thank you for your feedback and acknowledgment. It may well be that there is a link between prosperity and level of conscience, it is just a sad day when a lack of financial wealth becomes the excuse for not having a conscience.
We hope you carry on enjoying our ongoing blogs!
Best regards
Louis
Hi Louis,
Fascinating topic. I would like to explore the concept of ones conscience, which can be developed, and a person nature as well as the type of career they are suited to. Will try pick this up when next we meet.
Regards
Robin