Conscience Essential Definition

CONSCIENCECONSCIENCE 1.1. Popular DefinitionsPopular Definitions

Conscience is derived from three Latin Conscience is derived from three Latin words – words – cum alia scientia.cum alia scientia. This means the This means the application of knowledge to a specific application of knowledge to a specific individual.individual.

1.1. A “little voice” within. 1.1. A “little voice” within. In the popular mind of Filipinos, conscience is In the popular mind of Filipinos, conscience is

understood as that understood as that “little voice within”“little voice within” ( (tinig ng tinig ng budhibudhi) which tells us whether we have done ) which tells us whether we have done right or wrong. right or wrong.

Perhaps more importantly, this Perhaps more importantly, this little voicelittle voice tells tells us whether the decision we are considering or us whether the decision we are considering or contemplating to do is a good one or a bad one. contemplating to do is a good one or a bad one. This definition places the role of conscience This definition places the role of conscience before an act is done [CFC: 701].before an act is done [CFC: 701].

CONSCIENCECONSCIENCE

1.2. An indicator of joy or guilt. 1.2. An indicator of joy or guilt. In relation to the above-mentioned definition, In relation to the above-mentioned definition,

conscience is also understood as a place conscience is also understood as a place within us where we feel a sense of joy and within us where we feel a sense of joy and contentment when we act rightly, and a contentment when we act rightly, and a sense of disquiet and guilt if we act wrongly.sense of disquiet and guilt if we act wrongly.

At times, popular definitions like these are At times, popular definitions like these are useful as starting points, but they are not useful as starting points, but they are not very accurate, and they do not adequately very accurate, and they do not adequately distinguish conscience from other factors distinguish conscience from other factors with which it can easily be confused [R. with which it can easily be confused [R. Padilla, 1993: 55-56].Padilla, 1993: 55-56].


2.2. Essential DefinitionsEssential Definitions 2.1. Conscience is a judgment of 2.1. Conscience is a judgment of

human reasonhuman reason concerning the moral goodness of evil of concerning the moral goodness of evil of

one’s action. one’s action. It is not a separate faculty from the It is not a separate faculty from the

intellect. Rather, it is an act of the human intellect. Rather, it is an act of the human intellect regarding an action with respect intellect regarding an action with respect to the morality of that action. to the morality of that action.

Since it is an act of judgment, it Since it is an act of judgment, it considers a choice between what is right considers a choice between what is right or wrong [R. Padilla, 1993: 55-56].or wrong [R. Padilla, 1993: 55-56].


2.2. Conscience is an ultimate, 2.2. Conscience is an ultimate, practical judgmentpractical judgment on the morality on the morality of a concrete action, commanding to of a concrete action, commanding to do what is good and to avoid what is do what is good and to avoid what is evil. evil. It is called a It is called a practical judgmentpractical judgment

because it is related to because it is related to praxis praxis (concrete (concrete practice or action) of the moral activity. practice or action) of the moral activity.


Conscience goes into action when Conscience goes into action when the following are to be judged:the following are to be judged: 2.2.1. The morality of an action2.2.1. The morality of an action or a or a

concrete line of conduct (which a person concrete line of conduct (which a person wants to do or has already done), and wants to do or has already done), and

2.2.2. Its corresponding moral 2.2.2. Its corresponding moral obligationobligation (consequences) in the concrete (consequences) in the concrete situation [K. Peschke, 1996: 172-173].situation [K. Peschke, 1996: 172-173].

The object, therefore, of conscience is always The object, therefore, of conscience is always the morality of the action and the corresponding the morality of the action and the corresponding obligation. obligation.

Types of ConscienceTypes of Conscience

Moralists present the types of conscience Moralists present the types of conscience differently. For purposes of our study, we differently. For purposes of our study, we will present the will present the types of conscience by types of conscience by divisiondivision.. 1.Antecedent or Consequent Conscience1.Antecedent or Consequent Conscience 1.1. Antecedent Conscience – 1.1. Antecedent Conscience – if the judgment if the judgment

on the morality of an action is done even before on the morality of an action is done even before a particular action is performed. The antecedent a particular action is performed. The antecedent conscience functions in either of the following:conscience functions in either of the following:

It exhorts – gives advice or warning;It exhorts – gives advice or warning; It permits – allows one to proceed;It permits – allows one to proceed; It forbids – prohibits one from doing an act because it It forbids – prohibits one from doing an act because it

is evil.is evil.


1.2. Consequent Conscience – 1.2. Consequent Conscience – if it if it evaluates an act already committed or evaluates an act already committed or omitted. The consequent conscience omitted. The consequent conscience functions in either of the following:functions in either of the following: It approves – affirmation of the goodness of an It approves – affirmation of the goodness of an

act;act; It excuses – gives a reason, for example for It excuses – gives a reason, for example for

doing or not doing an act;doing or not doing an act; It reproves – negates the presence of goodness It reproves – negates the presence of goodness

in an act;in an act; It accuses – points a finger to the doer of the evil It accuses – points a finger to the doer of the evil

act.act.


2.Certain or Doubtful Conscience2.Certain or Doubtful Conscience 2.1. Certain Conscience2.1. Certain Conscience

– – a conscience is certain if it passes judgment a conscience is certain if it passes judgment without fear of error. Thus, a person who is without fear of error. Thus, a person who is convinced he has paid the PhP 500.00 he owed convinced he has paid the PhP 500.00 he owed from a friend has a certain conscience.from a friend has a certain conscience.

2.2. Doubtful Conscience2.2. Doubtful Conscience – – if it is uncertain about the morality of an act. if it is uncertain about the morality of an act.

Thus, a person who cannot determine whether Thus, a person who cannot determine whether letting his wife die by pulling the plug has a letting his wife die by pulling the plug has a doubtful conscience. This conscience suspends doubtful conscience. This conscience suspends judgment; or it passes judgment with the fear of judgment; or it passes judgment with the fear of committing an error. committing an error.


3.Right or Erroneous Conscience3.Right or Erroneous Conscience 3.1. Right 3.1. Right

– – it presents good as good and evil as it presents good as good and evil as evil. The practical moral judgment evil. The practical moral judgment agrees or disagrees with the objective agrees or disagrees with the objective norms of morality. norms of morality.

A person who decides not to take home A person who decides not to take home office items without the permission of office items without the permission of the authority has a right conscience.the authority has a right conscience.


3.2. Erroneous3.2. Erroneous – – it mistakenly judges something good to it mistakenly judges something good to

be evil, and something evil to be good. It be evil, and something evil to be good. It may result from a malformation of one’s may result from a malformation of one’s conscience due to ignorance (both conscience due to ignorance (both invincible ignorance and vincible invincible ignorance and vincible ignorance) or wrong information.ignorance) or wrong information.

Thus, a student who feels justified to Thus, a student who feels justified to spread slanderous remarks about a fellow spread slanderous remarks about a fellow student who has previously done the same student who has previously done the same to her acts with an erroneous conscience.to her acts with an erroneous conscience.

Types of ConscienceTypes of Conscience 4.4. Lax, Scrupulous, and Tender Lax, Scrupulous, and Tender

ConscienceConscience 4.1. Lax – 4.1. Lax – it is inclined to judge something to be it is inclined to judge something to be

lawful that which is sinful, or something to be a light lawful that which is sinful, or something to be a light sin that which is grave. sin that which is grave.

A person with a lax conscience sometimes becomes A person with a lax conscience sometimes becomes persuaded that great sins are permissible. They find persuaded that great sins are permissible. They find excuses for grave misconduct. excuses for grave misconduct.

Such people begin by rationalizing minor faults, Such people begin by rationalizing minor faults, until their conscience becomes dull and incapable of until their conscience becomes dull and incapable of proper decision. Such is the act of a psychologist proper decision. Such is the act of a psychologist who reveals a very serious professional secret about who reveals a very serious professional secret about a patient to some lay people and considers the a patient to some lay people and considers the disclosure a mere small talk.disclosure a mere small talk.


4.2. Scrupulous Conscience 4.2. Scrupulous Conscience – it sees evil – it sees evil where there is none.where there is none.

4.3. Tender Conscience4.3. Tender Conscience – it is sometimes – it is sometimes called “delicate” conscience because it called “delicate” conscience because it forms correct judgment with comparison forms correct judgment with comparison even in matters which involve a fine even in matters which involve a fine distinction. Such a conscience is developed distinction. Such a conscience is developed by many sincere people. In achieving this by many sincere people. In achieving this desirable goal, the guidance of a regular desirable goal, the guidance of a regular confessor or spiritual director is of confessor or spiritual director is of tremendous value.tremendous value.

Types of ConscienceTypes of Conscience Conscience is an infallible guide in each Conscience is an infallible guide in each

individual. individual. If we act according to our conscience, If we act according to our conscience,

we are acting rightly whether or not we we are acting rightly whether or not we have received training in morals or have received training in morals or ethics. ethics.

Therefore, goodwill and sincerity are Therefore, goodwill and sincerity are more important that a thorough more important that a thorough knowledge of moral or ethical principles knowledge of moral or ethical principles [K. Peschke, 1996: 158-187; R. Padilla, [K. Peschke, 1996: 158-187; R. Padilla, 1993:56-62; CFC: 195-198].1993:56-62; CFC: 195-198].

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Conscience Essential Definition