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Chapter Four: Conscience

Chapter Four: Conscience. “Conscience is a judgment of reason by which the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1796). Misunderstandings of Conscience. Our “Inner Voice” The “Good Angel” and the “Bad Devil” on the shoulder.

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Chapter Four: Conscience

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  1. Chapter Four: Conscience “Conscience is a judgment of reason by which the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1796)

  2. Misunderstandings of Conscience • Our “Inner Voice” • The “Good Angel” and the “Bad Devil” on the shoulder. • Jiminy Cricket • The inner voice could be untouched, unexamined and unchallenged. • Our Upbringing • “You were taught better than that.” • “Always clean your plate.” • “Always be polite.” • More lessons can always be learned. • A Feeling of Guilt or Dread • Feelings are not what we should use to judge the moral right or wrong of any action.

  3. What is Conscience? • Conscience has to do with an action rather than a thing. • The Three Dimensions of Conscience • Awareness • Not to decide on an issue is to make a decision on that issue. • “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1776.) • Seek Information (Development) • Judgment-Action

  4. The Human Inclination to the Good • To be human means to seek the good. • Seeking goodness is an essential human trait. • Looking for the good in even the worst person or worst situation. • Seeking out goodness in tragedies. • Lax conscience is a distorted conscience where goodness doesn’t seem to matter. • People who do not think about the morality of the actions they perform. • The psychopath who lacks any sense of right or wrong.

  5. Conscience in the Catholic Tradition • The Bible uses the word “heart” as the closest equivalent to the concept of conscience. • “Change of heart,” “harden not your heart” and “open your heart” are common phrases in Scripture to describe conscience development. • Developing habits of the heart is a part of conversion, as conscience is an activity of the whole person. • Psalm 119:29-37

  6. Conscience in the Catholic Tradition • Second Vatican Council • Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes) • Declaration on Human Freedom (Dignitatishumanae) • Pope John Paul II • The Catechism of the Catholic Church • “The Splendor of Truth” (Veritatis splendor)

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