François Chifflart (1825-1901), The Conscience (after Victor Hugo) Conscience is an ability or faculty or sense that distinguishes whether our actions are right or wrong. It leads to feelings of remorse when we do things that go against our moral values, and to feelings of rectitude or integrity when our actions conform to our moral values. It is also the attitude which informs our moral judgment before performing any action. The extent to which such moral judgements are based in reason has been a matter of controversy almost throughout the history Western philosophy. Commonly used metaphors refer to the "voice of conscience" or "voice within."