Conscience

Question 1

Conscience in Latin?

Answer 1

• Con means “with” in Latin
• Science means “Knowledge” in Latin
• Conscience means with knowledge

Question 2

What is the Gaudium et Spes?

Answer 2

• Gaudium et Spes calls conscience the voice that calls us “to love”.
• It refers to conscience as the law of God inscribed on our hearts
• conscience is at the core of who we are.

Question 3

What is Moral Conscience?

Answer 3

• Your capacity to differentiate between right and wrong based on the teachings of the church, the morality of the community and the voice of God within you.

Question 4

What is Superego?

Answer 4

• It stores the “should’s” and “have to’s” which we absorb in the process of growing up under the influence of authority figures
• We are good when we do what we’re told to do…
• ID = unconscious
• Superego = semi Conscience
• Ego = Conscience

Question 5

Difference between Superego vs. Conscience

Answer 5

• We follow the commands of the superego out of the fear of those who are the source of love and approval.
• The moral conscience acts in love responding to the call to commit ourselves to value love and service.
• The moral conscience is the key to responsible freedom or wanting to do what we do because we value what we are seeking.
• Love is to do what is good for someone else ahead of your own desires.

Question 6

What are the 3 Dimensions of Conscience?

Answer 6

1. Capacity
2. Process
3. Judgment

Question 7

What is Capacity?

Answer 7

• Our capacity to know good evil.
• Our sense of value and responsibility.

Question 8

What is Process?

Answer 8

• Knowing how to perceive accurately and to think correctly.
• Formed in community, builton sources of moral wisdom to know what it means to be human in a moral way.

Question 9

What is Judgment?

Answer 9

• The judgment and decision of what to do in the situation based your values.
• The decision is abou twhat person you want to be.

Question 10

Conscience Summary

Answer 10

• Youhave to follow your conscience

Question 11

What are 5 Symptoms of a Misinformed Conscience?

Answer 11

1. Rationalization (Excuses)
2. Trivialization (Small/common actions)
3. Misinformation
4. End Justifying (immoral)
5. Difficult to Reason (act without thinking)

Question 12

What is Rationalization (Excuses)?

Answer 12

• Finding ways to excuse immoral behaviour. (ex. Stealing is sometimes wrong but he is rich so it won’t hurt him as much and thus is OK)

Question 13

What is Trivialization (Small/common actions)?

Answer 13

• “it’s no big deal, everybody else does it…” Suggesting that because an immoral action is small or common it does not matter and is not actually immoral.

Question 14

What is Misinformation ?

Answer 14

• Basing a moral idea on incorrect information, lack of information not in proper context.

Question 15

What is End Justifying (immoral) Means?

Answer 15

• Suggesting the results of your bad action justify it.
• ex. I had to cheat! If I failed that test I wouldn’t have gotten into the University program I wanted)

Question 16

What is Difficult to Reason?

Answer 16

• In difficult situations a person may act without thinking and make an immoral choice when there were better options available

Question 17

What is a Process For Moral Decision Making?

Answer 17

• S.T.O.P
• Search: Analyzing your situation and context
• Think: What are the consequences
• Other: Consider scripture and church teaching
• Pray: Time of reflection and prayer