THE SUBJECTIVE NORM OF MORALITY

CONSCIENCE

What is Conscience?
I s a practical judgment of human reason concerning the moral goodness or evil of an action. It is by the judgment of his conscience that man perceives & recognizes the prescriptions of the divine law. An act of the human intellect. Therefore subject to the shortcomings of our intellect.

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.

MOMENTS
ANTECEDENT - Conscience which discerns. (Before the act) CONCOMITANT- Conscience in action. Am I doing the right thing? (During the act)

CONSEQUENT - Conscience which reviews, evaluates an action which has already been done.

LEVELS OF CONSCIENCE
1. INSTINCTIVE LEVEL Dominated by fear of punishment & desire for approval or reward. Natural level, normal for children.

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.

3. CHRISTIAN LEVEL - My 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.

CONSCIENCE

SINCERITY CORRECTNESS
It is not enough to be sincere. It is important to be correct. -Lipio, Felicidad C. Conscience

KINDS OF CONSCIENCE
I. Conscience with reference to the degree of voluntariness: FREE UNFREE II. With reference to objective moral norm: CORRECT or TRUE ERRONEOUS Invincible Vincible III. With reference to the degree of certainty: 1. CERTAIN 2. DOUBTFUL

IV. With reference to moral attitude: 1. DELICATE 2. LAX 3.SCRUPULOUS 4. PHARISAICAL 5. CALLOUS

Formation of Conscience
INFORMED ENLIGHTENED FORMED

HOW DO WE FORM A CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE?

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. Critical Reflection on our concrete moral choices & experiences in daily life.

The Catholic Church as Moral Guide & Teacher:

Bearer of Moral Tradition A community of Moral discernment Shaper of Moral Identity.