1. CONSCIENTIOUSNESS.
This organ views all actions in their moral aspect. It operates as an internal monitor, prescribing to its possessor the claims of truth and duty. Its power, however, does not enable it to decide upon what is abstractly just or unjust. This is affected by the character of the other organs with which it is combined. A person with large conscientiousness, and large Selfish Propensities, will consider an action just, which another, with the same amount of Conscientiousness, and smaller propensities, will consider unjust. This organ is essential to the formation of a truly philosophic mind, especially in moral investigations. It produces the desire of discovering the tact of recognising it when discovered, and that perfect reliance on its invincible supremacy which gives at once dignity and peace to the mind.
Predominant.—When this organ predominates, the individual looks always and only for truth, and receives it from whatever source it comes. He is thus disposed to regulate his conduct by the wisest sentiments of justice, which imparts an earnestness, integrity and directness in his manner, that leaves no room to doubt of his sincerity. He desires to act justly from the love of justice, unbiased by fear, interest or any sinister motive. When the actions have been contrary to the dictates of this organ, it produces remorse, repentance, a sense of guilt and demerit.
Large.—With this organ large, and the Selfish Propensities moderate, one will be eminently just and honest in all his dealings. He can never be brought to sacrifice duty to expediency. With large Firmness and Combativeness, he will be particularly firm, bold and decided on all questions of moral duty. He will never shrink from the advocacy of right, or from sustaining the defenceless from the unjust attacks of their enemies. If with this combination, Destructiveness is large, he will be inclined to severely censure any trickery or dishonesty in others; and if Causality is not large, he will consider himself the standard of truth and justice, by which all others must be judged.
Moderate.—With but a moderate developement of this organ, one will endeavour to act justly; and if Causality and Comparison are large, and the Selfish Propensities small, he will generally do so; but if the Selfish Propensities are very strong, he will be guided more by considerations of interest than of duty. If with this combination, and Adhesiveness large, while he will take advantage of a stranger in a pecuniary transaction, no power of circumstances can induce him to trespass on the rights of a friend. His compunctions of conscience will be few and feeble. He will not be scrupulous about what he requires of others, seeming to claim as a right, that they should make sacrifices to his interest and inclination. He will look more to the effect that actions and opinions will have upon himself, than upon their moral character. If Love of Approbation, Secretiveness and Destructiveness are large, he will be likely to indulge in harsh, censorious and unjust remarks upon the character of his neighbours, while at the same time, if Acquisitiveness is moderate or small, he will be strictly just in all his dealings.
Small.—With Conscientiousness small, one will have few or no compunctions of conscience; he will be ever ready to justify himself to himself, have little or no regard for moral principle, and an imperfect idea of right and wrong in the abstract. With large Self-esteem, Benevolence, and Adhesiveness, and with small Acquisitiveness and Secretiveness, he may be honest and kind-hearted in his general conduct, but it will be because he considers it dishonourable and unmanly to commit a mean action, and because it pains his Benevolence and Adhesiveness to injure another. With this combination he will extol his friends in the highest terms, but if he gets angry with them, he will traduce and vilify them, being in both cases regardless of their true merit. If Love of Approbation is large, he will adopt every means to please without regard to justice or propriety.