Philosopher Angie Hobbs on the Value of Conscience - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Philosopher Angie Hobbs examines the concept of conscience or moral intuition and asks whether it stands up to rational scrutiny.

In his Novel 'The Brothers Karamazov' the 19th century Russian writer Dostoevsky posed a moral dilemma – would it be morally right to murder an innocent child in exchange for Paradise on earth for all other humans.

In other words does the end ever justify the means or are there actions which are simply unacceptable whatever the benefit?

Angie Hobbs examines our moral intuitions and our sense of 'conscience' by talking through Dostoevsky's dilemma and asking what we really mean when we declare an act unconscionable.


This programme is part of a week of programmes looking at the history of ideas around Freedom.

Further episodes of A History of Ideas

Further podcasts by BBC Radio 4

Website of BBC Radio 4