The article is devoted above all to the analysis of the concept of conscience in relation to the space of public life (institutional, professional). The author of the article devotes a special place to the concept of conscience in interpretation of Jürgen Habermas and his ethics of discourse. In the first part of the article, the author points to the change it has made in the modern and contemporary sense of conscience in comparison with classical interpretations. Earlier, the power of conscience was associated with the intellect, whereas today’s conscience is associated with emotions, especially with the ability to empathize, especially the subject’s ability to empathize. Some emotions are cognitive and are related to contextual knowledge. In the second part, the author analyses the concept of the development of moral consciousness of Jürgen Habermas. This concept is based on a philosophical interpretation of the conclusions of the psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg’s experiment. In conclusion, the author writes about of the presence of the “voice” of conscience in the space of public life. Defending the value of discourse on the principles of social life, it can be based on the postulate of Habermas, or the dialogue of people with sensitive consciences.