conscience law and basis of moral judgment conscience
conscience law and …basis of moral judgment
conscience • is the practical judgment of reason telling us what should be done because it is good, or what should be avoided because it is evil
conscience • essential characteristic: spontaneous and instantaneous • considered as the “voice of God”
two functions • conscience directs towards that which is good (prior the commission of an act) • conscience either approves or reproves the act (after the commission of an act) – reproaching conscience • punishes the doer with remorse – approving conscience • rewards the doer with “peace of mind”
types of conscience correct conscience erroneous conscience doubtful conscience scrupulous conscience lax conscience
conscience • intellectual faculty – has the power to know of what is good(to be done) and evil (to be avoided) • needs education and training
law an ordinance of reason, promulgated for the common good by one who has charge of society
classification eternal law • is the plan of God in creating all creatures giving to each of them its respective nature • refers to the order and harmony in the created universe • every creature acts and reacts according to the demands of its nature
classification natural law • refers to the order of things that man knows by his reason • known as man’s participation in the Eternal law • is the tendency of human nature towards growth and self-fulfillment to “make human life truly human”
practical because it leads us to a course of action c
judgment of reason because it derives from our understanding of what ought to be done as good and what ought to be avoided as evil; actions are in accordance with the dictate of reason
correct conscience • sees the good as good; the evil as evil • it comes form enlightenment, refined moral sensibility, from habit of doing good • the result of sound upbringing, education, good habits, intelligent laws
erroneous conscience • sees evil as something good • it comes from malice, ignorance, bad habits, and bad influence
doubtful conscience • is a wavering, indecisive conscience, unsure of itself • safe: When in doubt do not act
scrupulous conscience • is overly cautious, meticulous, and fearful of committing mistakes
lax conscience • is indifferent, unmindful of right or wrong
law: ordinance of reason they are results of serious study, deliberation or public debate
law: promulgated they are made known to the people who are bound to observe them
law: for the common good purpose: law is the general welfare of the people
law: one who has charge of society only those who have legitimate authority to govern may pass laws
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