CONSCIENCE

WHAT IS CONSCIENCE?
It is the inner voice summoning us to love the good
and avoid evil, by applying objective moral norms to
our particular acts, and thus commanding: do this, do
not do that. (CFC 723)

Basic tendency toward the good. (CFC 701)

Heeding your conscience give you a sense of peace

and integrity deep within ones self.
 From Vatican II
In the depth of your conscience, you detect a law which
you did not impose upon yourself, but which holds you to
obedience.

Always summoning you to love good and avoid evil. For

you have in your heart a law written by God;

Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of your

self. There you are alone with God, whose voice echoes
in your depths.
Various notions of Conscience

FEELING OF GUILT, WORRY, DISSATISFACTION,

RESTLESSNESS OR A FEELING OF HIYA WHEN THEY DO
SOMETHING WRONG.

WHAT AUTHORITIES TELL THEM TO DO: THE LAWS

OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE CHURCH, THE PARENTS,
AND FRIENDS.
 The mind of man
Aquinas making moral
judgements

Grounded in his Natural Law philosophy

Humans created with recta ratio (right reason) of
basic moral principles
A persons conscience could go wrong through
incorrect use of reason. (Eg. Helping a homeless man
who spends money on drugs. However if we thought
about it, we could give money to a homeless shelter-
this is a better cause. )
Augustine
Voice of God speaking to us
See God as your witness.
People are able to sense right
and wrong because God
reveals it to us personally.
AS A SUBJECTIVE NORM OF MORALITY
Conscience has the final say in making moral
decisions. It helps a person make the final
judgement on how to act in a given situation.

Along with LAW , which is the objective norm of

morality, conscience helps a person determine
whether one is doing the right or the wrong.
AS A JUDGEMENT OF REASON
Conscience is a
judgement of reason by
which the human
person recognizes the
moral quality of a
concrete act.

(CCC 1796)
TWO BASIC ELEMENTS OF CONSCIENCE:

(1) Moral judgment that discerns what is

right and wrong.

(2) Moral obligation or command to do

good and avoid evil.
MOMENTS OF CONSCIENCE:
1. ANTECEDENT - Conscience which discerns. (Before the act)

2. CONCOMITANT - Conscience in action.

Am I doing the right thing? (During the act)

3. CONSEQUENT - Conscience which reviews, evaluates an

action which has already been done. (After the act)
LEVELS OF CONSCIENCE:
1. INSTINCTIVE LEVEL Dominated by fear of punishment &
desire for approval or reward. This is normal for children.
(natural level)

2. MORAL / PHILOSOPHICAL - Operates on the ethical level,

that is, not just on what is commanded by some authority
but now from awareness of the inner good or evil of an act.
LEVELS OF CONSCIENCE:
3. CHRISTIAN LEVEL Ones Christian Faith illumines, clarifies
& deepens what we perceive as truly worthy of being a
person. It places moral striving as a personal call to wholeness
& holiness.

We become conscious of the healing & liberating grace

present in our very moral struggle & striving, as we are called
to greater & fuller conversion into the persons that God has
created us to become.
WAYS BY WHICH OUR CONSCIENCE IS
FORMED:
1. Through the natural education agents of
FAMILY upbringing.
2. Our SCHOOL training.
3. PARISH catechist.
4. Influence of FRIENDS and SOCIAL contacts.
FORMATION OF CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE
A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. The education
of Conscience is a lifelong task. It is formed gradually in FAITH
and through personal & ecclesial PRAYER LIFE:

Studying the WORD of GOD & the Teachings of the Church

(Seek the moral guidance of the Church)
Responsiveness to the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Examination of ones conscience which is a critical reflection
on our concrete moral choices & experiences in daily life.
TYPES OF CONSCIENCE:
1. CORRECT or TRUE CONSCIENCE Corresponds to objective
moral values and precept.
A good and pure conscience is enlightened by true faith, for
charity proceeds at the same time from a pure heart and a
good conscience and sincere faith (CCC 1794)

2. FALSE or ERRONEOUS CONSCIENCE One which mistakenly

judges something as morally good which is objectively evil.
(CFC 727)
WORK OF CONSCIENCE
To judge the good or evil of an act, by deciding on its
three essential aspects:
1. The nature or object of the act.
2. Our intention as agents or doers of the act.
3. The circumstances which affect the morality of the
act.

(CFC 728)
SOURCES:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/conscience
https://www.slideshare.net/arvi_bernardo/conscience-9319884
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a6.
htm
https://www.slideshare.net/hannahts116/the-conscience
https://www.slideshare.net/westlivaudais/conscience