"What does it mean to say that you are restrained solely by your own morality, by your own mind? The conscience is often described as an inner voice telling us what to do when others may be opposed. A moral compass is that which distinguishes between right and wrong, good and bad. Our conscience, our moral compass, sets the groundwork for doing the right thing."
"This begs the question, though. What are the principles that guide us, and to whom are they of value? A conscience or moral compass can be a useful guide, but it can also be mistaken, misinformed or delusional. Inner voices can lead disturbed minds to murder and a faulty compass can point in the wrong direction. Not everyone's conscience or moral compass is as valid (good) as any other."
Conscience can be delusional and cannot be assumed infallible. A claim that the only constraint on power is personal morality and mind raises concern because inner moral convictions vary widely in validity. Moral compasses can be mistaken, misinformed, or aligned with cruelty, indifference, or unfairness. Ethical frameworks such as compassion, gratitude, and justice provide universal standards against which personal conscience should be checked. When consequences are significant or harm to others is possible, reliance solely on individual morality becomes ethically risky and may amount to hubris. External constraints, shared moral principles, and accountability help prevent dangerous self-justification.
Read at Psychology Today
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