Formation of Conscience | Catholic Central

Catholic Central

9 Apr 201906:53

Summary

TLDRIn this Catholic Central video, hosts Kai and Libby explore the concept of conscience through a lively dialogue. They clarify that conscience is not merely being conscious but a moral compass guiding us toward good and away from evil. The script delves into the importance of forming a well-informed conscience through introspection, religious teachings, and the wisdom of others. It emphasizes the role of conscience in decision-making and personal growth, advocating for humility and the pursuit of truth in moral discernment.

Takeaways

😊 Your conscience is an internal sense of right and wrong that guides you through moral decisions.
🤔 Actions have moral quality, distinguishing humans from animals who act on instinct.
❌ Certain actions, like cannibalism and genocide, are always morally wrong, according to your conscience.
🙏 Catholics believe conscience is the part of you that hears the voice of God, guiding you to do good and avoid evil.
🧠 Forming a well-developed conscience requires introspection and comparison to an objective moral standard.
📜 Resources like Scripture, Church teachings, and the advice of others help in forming a well-informed conscience.
💪 Forming your conscience is a continuous process, akin to exercising a muscle or skill that needs constant attention.
🤝 Hearing diverse perspectives is crucial in strengthening your conscience beyond personal experience.
💡 Good choices in different situations reinforce your conscience, making it easier to do the right thing in the future.
🧘‍♀️ Balance is key—it's important to filter your actions through mercy and learn from past mistakes without being too harsh on yourself.

Q & A

What is the difference between conscience and being conscious as explained in the script?
-Conscience is described as a deep interior sense of right and wrong that guides one through moral dilemmas, whereas being conscious refers to the state of awareness, which can diminish or disappear during sleep or when making poor moral choices.
How does the script define 'actions' in the context of morality?
-Actions are described as having a moral quality that distinguishes human beings from animals. Unlike animals, humans can reflect on the morality of their actions, considering whether they are right or wrong.
What are the three elements that determine whether an action is morally right or wrong according to the script?
-The three elements are the action itself, the intention behind the action, and the circumstances surrounding the action.
Why do Catholics believe that even non-believers can be good people?
-Catholics believe that everyone has a conscience, which is an innate sense of right and wrong that guides moral decisions, regardless of whether one believes in God.
What is the term used by the church fathers to describe the innate knowledge of right and wrong?
-The term used by the church fathers is 'synderesis'.
How does the script differentiate between a conscience and the angel and devil on the shoulder?
-The script differentiates by stating that a conscience is a still, small internal voice that guides one towards the good and right choice, rather than a scolding or shaming voice like the angel and devil on the shoulder.
What is the role of the conscience in decision-making according to the script?
-The conscience checks in during moments of decision-making to help one make the right choice, reflects on past actions, and is used to think about future decisions.
Why is it important to form one's conscience according to the script?
-Forming one's conscience is important because it helps one to assess their inner self, grow and change into better versions of themselves, and more likely to do the right thing more often.
What is 'conscientiometrics' mentioned in the script and what was the intended purpose?
-Conscientiometrics is a humorously coined term by Kai, suggesting a proprietary new system for forming one's conscience, though it is not a real concept and was used for comedic effect.
What are some of the sources one can turn to for forming a well-formed conscience as suggested in the script?
-The script suggests turning to Scripture, the teachings of the church, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the lives of the saints, and the advice of experienced individuals.
How does the script describe the process of forming one's conscience?
-The process involves developing an interior life, comparing one's thoughts and feelings to an objective standard of right and wrong, and considering various sources of wisdom and guidance, including church teachings and the experiences of others.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Introduction to Conscience and Moral Guidance

Kai and Libby introduce the concept of conscience, explaining that it’s a deep internal sense that helps distinguish right from wrong, different from merely being conscious. They emphasize that conscience guides us to do good and avoid evil, contrasting it with instinctive behaviors of animals.

05:01

🤔 Understanding Moral Actions and Conscience

Kai and Libby discuss how human actions have a moral quality, unlike animals that act on instinct. They outline that some actions are inherently wrong, while others depend on intention and circumstances. Conscience plays a key role in rationally judging these actions, guiding individuals towards making morally sound decisions.

📜 The Role of Conscience in Moral Decisions

The duo explains that conscience is universal, even for those who don’t believe in God, as it drives people to do good. They explore different viewpoints on conscience, emphasizing that for Catholics, it’s a divine spark guiding one to avoid evil and pursue good.

🔍 Deep Dive into Conscience and Historical Perspectives

The hosts dive into the concept of synderesis, a term used by the Church Fathers to describe the conscience. They illustrate how conscience prompts moral actions not for external validation but because it’s the right thing to do, emphasizing that it’s an internal guide rather than a source of guilt.

🧭 Forming and Following a Well-Formed Conscience

Kai and Libby stress the importance of forming a well-developed conscience through self-reflection, Scripture, Church teachings, and advice from others. A well-formed conscience is crucial for moral decision-making and personal growth, helping individuals act rightly even in challenging situations.

💪 Practicing Conscience in Daily Life

The importance of regularly exercising and strengthening one’s conscience is discussed, comparing it to a muscle that needs constant work. They explain how making good decisions builds a strong conscience, helping one consistently choose the right path even when faced with difficult choices.

⚖️ Balancing Conscience and Mercy

The hosts remind viewers that while it's important to follow one’s conscience, it’s equally vital to temper it with mercy. Reflecting on past actions through this lens allows for personal growth, learning from mistakes without falling into excessive guilt or justification.

📢 Conclusion and Call to Action

Kai and Libby wrap up the discussion by encouraging viewers to visit their website for more resources on forming a conscience. They highlight the importance of subscribing for more content that can help individuals lead better lives through Catholic traditions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Conscience

Conscience is a deep interior sense of right and wrong that guides individuals through moral decisions. In the video, it is described as a 'still, small internal voice' that urges one to do good and avoid evil, beyond just following external rules or instincts. The video emphasizes the importance of forming a well-informed conscience to make moral choices aligned with truth and righteousness.

💡Moral Quality

Moral quality refers to the ethical dimension of human actions, which can be judged as right or wrong. Unlike animals, whose actions are purely instinctual, human actions carry a moral weight that conscience evaluates. The video highlights that actions like cannibalism, incest, or genocide are inherently morally wrong, while other actions require the consideration of intention and circumstances.

💡Synderesis

Synderesis is an ancient concept mentioned in the video that refers to the innate human ability to recognize basic moral principles. It is the part of the conscience that naturally inclines a person to do good and avoid evil. In the context of the video, synderesis would be the internal voice that tells a caveman that human sacrifice is wrong, even if society accepts it.

💡Interior Life

Interior life, or 'interiority,' is the practice of self-reflection and being present to oneself. The video stresses the importance of having an interior life to examine one's thoughts, desires, and motivations. This reflection is crucial for forming a well-informed conscience, as it allows individuals to align their inner moral compass with objective truths.

💡Well-Formed Conscience

A well-formed conscience is one that is educated and guided by objective standards of right and wrong, such as Scripture, Church teachings, and the lives of saints. The video explains that forming a well-informed conscience is a lifelong process that requires humility, self-reflection, and the willingness to learn from various sources, including different viewpoints.

💡Examination of Conscience

Examination of conscience is the process of reflecting on past actions to evaluate their moral quality. The video mentions this practice as a way to understand whether one's choices were right or wrong. It is an essential part of moral development, helping individuals recognize mistakes, seek forgiveness, and learn for the future.

💡Mercy

Mercy in the context of the video is the attitude of compassion and forgiveness one should apply when reflecting on past actions. The video advises that when evaluating one's decisions, it's important to filter them through mercy, acknowledging mistakes as learning opportunities rather than sources of guilt or shame.

💡Objective Standard of Right and Wrong

An objective standard of right and wrong refers to universal truths or moral principles that are independent of personal feelings or cultural norms. The video suggests that a well-formed conscience should align with these objective standards, which can be found in religious teachings, moral laws, and ethical traditions.

💡Moral Quandaries

Moral quandaries are situations in which it is difficult to determine the right course of action due to conflicting values or complex circumstances. The video emphasizes the role of conscience in guiding individuals through these confusing moral challenges, helping them discern the right path even when the correct choice is not immediately clear.

💡Authority of Truth

The authority of truth refers to the idea that truth has a guiding and commanding role in moral decision-making. The video highlights that a well-formed conscience recognizes and submits to this authority, allowing it to direct one's actions according to what is genuinely right and just, as opposed to what might be popular or convenient.

Highlights

The Catholic Church views conscience as an interior sense of right and wrong, distinct from being conscious.

Conscience guides moral decisions, focusing on discerning right from wrong rather than on feelings of good or bad.

Actions have a moral quality in humans, unlike animals that react without moral consideration.

Three elements determine the morality of actions: the action itself, the intention behind it, and the circumstances.

Conscience is the rational judge of actions, helping to distinguish right from wrong.

Catholics believe that conscience is a part of the self that hears the voice of God, guiding towards good.

Even non-believers can seek to be good through their conscience, which is inherent in all humans.

Conscience is not just a religious concept but also a part of the self that internalizes societal norms and lessons.

Synderesis is the term used by the church fathers for the innate knowledge of good and evil.

Conscience should motivate actions based on their inherent rightness, not for external appearances or to alleviate guilt.

A well-formed conscience allows a person to hear God speaking through the prudent application of moral discernment.

Self-reflection is essential for forming and maintaining a well-formed conscience.

Forgiveness is an important aspect of conscience, acknowledging when one needs to seek pardon from others or God.

Interiority, or an interior life, is crucial for forming a well-formed conscience, requiring self-reflection and introspection.

Scripture, church teachings, and the wisdom of others are resources for forming and strengthening one's conscience.

Humility is important in the process of forming a conscience, acknowledging one's limitations and openness to growth.

Conscience formation is an ongoing process, requiring continuous effort and adaptation to changing life circumstances.

Practicing good decisions strengthens the conscience, making it easier to choose right over wrong in various situations.

Loopholes and rationalizations are not true conscience but attempts to justify less virtuous decisions.

Mercy should filter past, present, and future actions, using regret as an opportunity for learning and growth.