Conscience

What is conscience?

Conscience is the judgment of man's reason regarding the morality of his actions.

Why did God give man a conscience?

God gave man a conscience to discern good from evil, and to judge himself so that God may not judge him unfavorably after this life.

How is conscience divided?

Conscience is divided into true, right, wrong, erroneous, and doubtful.

What is a true conscience?

A true conscience is one that agrees with the mind of God.

What is a right conscience?

A. A right conscience is one which is sincerely dictated according to the Law of God.

What is a wrong conscience?

A wrong conscience is one that is knowingly dictated contrary to the Law of God.

What is an erroneous conscience?

An erroneous conscience is one that is sincerely dictated contrary to the Law of God.

What is a doubtful conscience?

A doubtful conscience is that state of mind in which man has not sufficient knowledge of a particular right or duty to form a just judgment of the morality of his action.

Is it right to act with a doubtful conscience?

It is not right to act with a doubtful conscience.

How can man dispose of his doubt?

Man can dispose of his doubt,

1) By further investigation;

2) By following the presumption in the case, if the doubt still remains.

What does the presumption favor?

Presumption favors

1) Human Liberty as long as it is not evidently restrained by the Law of God;

2) It then favors the Law until Liberty is evidently freed again.

What is the first obligation of conscience?

The first obligation of conscience is to strive to form a true conscience.

What hinder the formation of a true conscience?

Ignorance, Passion, and Human Respect hinder the formation of a true conscience.

What is the result of acting with a right conscience?

The result of acting with a right conscience is moral goodness or holiness.