This 1987 discussion recording delves into the concepts of responsibility and conscience, tracing their historical evolution. The speaker, inspired by Georg Picht, explains that the original Latin word 'respondeo' and its German equivalent 'Verantwortung' primarily held a legal meaning of answering before a court. During the Middle Ages, this concept metaphorically expanded to include responsibility before God in the final judgment. Modern philosophy then shifted this eschatological perspective to the subject, declaring conscience as the ultimate authority. The discussion further explores the transformation of responsibility before God into responsibility before oneself, leading to a paradoxical state where an individual becomes both accuser and judge. It examines the challenges associated with this shift into subjectivity, including the possibility of false conscience and the easy abuse of appealing to one's conscience. The etymology of the word 'conscience' (syneidesis) and its relation to terms like 'messenger' (angelos) and 'truth' are also touched upon. The discussion further distinguishes between sensitivity to moral situations and actual morality, and highlights the difference between a critic and a creator. Finally, it analyzes Paul's concept of sin and conscience, proposing a new interpretation that emphasizes helplessness and openness as fundamental elements of the moral situation, rather than evil will or law.