Conscience

Conscience

Conscience

a practical judgment of reason that helps decide the goodness or evil of actions or attitudes. The conscience must be formed properly and then followed

Invincible Ignorance

ignorance about the rightness or wrongness of an action in which one is not morally culpable. Ignorance was invincible, incapable of being overcome

Vincible Ignorance

Ignorance about the rightness or wrongness of actions which one is morally culpable. This is capable of being overcome is the truth is diligently sought

Peer Pressure

Pressure to go along with the beliefs and actions of others. The pressure can be neutral, positive, or negative

Fortitude

the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good

Martyr

‘witness’, someone who suffered or died for the truth of the faith and Christian doctrine; the ultimate act of fortitude

‘True’ in relation to conscience

One which indicates correctly the goodness or badness of a moral conduct

‘Erroneous’ in relation to conscience

one which falsely indicates that a good action is evil, or an evil action is good

‘Lax’ in relation to conscience

forms moral judgments on insufficient grounds, may be persuaded that great sins are permissible

‘Scrupulous’ in relation to conscience

when someone sees evil where there is none

‘Certain’ in relation to conscience

one which dictates a course of action in clear terms without fear of error

‘doubtful’ in relation to conscience

one which leaves a person undecided as to the proper course of action

What are the interlocking aspects of conscience?

Awareness of God’s Call (why we need prayer)

Awareness of God’s Call to know and do good, that is to love

Practical judgment of the intellect

What does conscience require us to do?

The good that’s been recognized in the process of discerning the correct course of action

How can you guard yourself against self-interest?

Seek advice of trusted moral mentors

What do you not need to do to be a conscientious person?

(Don’t) Always form and inform your conscience and Always abey your certain conscience

False View: Opinion

feelings may be out of touch with what is right or wrong

False View: Gut Instinct-

a decision based on conscience is more thorough and accurate than a gut reaction

False View: Jiminy Cricket

Conscience does not come outside of yourself

False View: Superego

Conscience is the forefront of who you are based on God’s Law, not a hidden set of rules

False View: Majority Opinion

Doing what the crowd thinks is right surrenders responsibility to group and not self

How can we identify the devil at work around us?

when having a feeling of anger or a feeling to go against our ways that is the devil

What does fortitude help us do?

Overcome peer pressure

What is the purpose of the SEER method and what are the steps?

Necessary to keep important principles

Study the facts

Elect your course of action

Execute the action

Review your decision

Define Good and Evil

Good- (opinionated question?)

Evil-

Can evil and good exist with or without each other?

good/evil exists (opinionated question)

How can we resist evil?

Learn moral teachings of the Church

Pray and meditate

Develop and maintain a good conscience

Frequently participate in reconciliation

Seek spiritual direction

What 3 spiritual disciplines can you practice to help you grow in the virtue of fortitude

Self denial, prayer, service