Chapter 3: Christian Moral Conscience

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, key thinkers, biblical references, types of conscience, and moral discernment from Chapter 3.

Conscience (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1778)

A judgment of reason whereby a human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that they are going to perform, are performing, or have already completed.

Immanuel Kant's View of Conscience

Conscience described as an interior court of justice in man.

Sigmund Freud's View of Conscience

Conscience connected with the superego, involving demands and habits learned from parents and society.

Carl Gustav Jung's View of Conscience

Conscience associated with the self and described as a court of appeal.

Synderesis

St. Thomas Aquinas' term for the core of conscience, referring to a habit of reason and an innate awareness of basic moral good.

St. Augustine's View of Conscience

Conscience connected with the innermost encounter between God and the human person.

Wisdom 17:11

The specific text in the Old Testament where the word conscience is generally used.

Romans 2:15

A biblical text where St. Paul describes conscience as acting as a witness that can accuse or defend a person.

Gaudium et Spes, Section 16

A Church document describing conscience as a law written by God in the human heart and the most secret core and sanctuary of a person.

Natural Law

Reveals objective and universal demands of moral good.

Correct Conscience

A conscience that corresponds to objective moral values and precepts.

Erroneous Conscience

A conscience that mistakenly judges something as morally good when it is objectively evil.

Vincibly Erroneous Conscience

An erroneous conscience where the error could have been corrected through reasonable effort, making the person morally accountable.

Invincibly Erroneous Conscience

An erroneous conscience where the error could not reasonably be overcome even through sincere effort, meaning the person is not morally accountable.

Antecedent Conscience

A conscience that judges an action before it is performed, which may command, exhort, permit, or forbid.

Concomitant Conscience

A conscience that operates during the action and involves awareness of moral responsibility.

Consequent Conscience

A conscience that evaluates an action after it has been performed or omitted, which may approve, excuse, reprove, or accuse.

Certain Conscience

A conscience that makes a moral judgment without fear of error because sufficient certainty is present.

Doubtful Conscience

A conscience that lacks sufficient certainty for an immediate moral judgment, requiring that a person not act while it remains doubtful.

Perplex Conscience

An erroneous conscience in which a person fears sin regardless of which choice is made.

Lax Conscience

A conscience that judges something as lawful when it is actually sinful, or considers a serious sin to be only a light sin.

Pharisaical Conscience

A conscience that is strict about small matters but blind to larger or more serious matters.

Scrupulous Conscience

A conscience involving excessive fear, doubt, or anxiety about sin.

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church.

Moral Conscience

A conscience concerning whether an action is morally right or wrong.

Psychological Conscience

A conscience concerning the person's inner psychological awareness or experience related to an action.

Moral Discernment

A graced ability to detect or determine the appropriate response to God's invitation.