CHAPTER FIVE Conscience Formation

With and Without Conscience A practical judgment of reason that helps a person decide the goodness or sinfulness of an action or attitude. It is the subjective norm of morality that we must form properly and then follow

Definition of Conscience What Conscience Is Not: Conscience as majority opinion. Conscience as a feeling. Conscience as a superego. Conscience as gut-instinct. Conscience as “Jiminy Cricket.” Conscience as myth.

Definition of Conscience What Conscience Is: Conscience is awareness of God’s call to be. Conscience is awareness of God’s call to know and do the good, that is, to love. Conscience is a practical judgment of the intellect.

How Conscience Works virtue vice A bad habit, that inclines us to choose the evil rather than the good A good habit that empowers us to do good with ease

SEER – a person in tune with truth, a prophet How Conscience Works Study, Elect, Execute, Review: Elect a course of action Review the decision Study the facts Execute the action SEER – a person in tune with truth, a prophet

How Conscience Works Study, Elect, Execute, Review You must always form and keep informing your conscience. You must follow your conscience.

How Conscience Works 1. Study Study, Elect, Execute, Review 1. Study Gather information about the moral object, the motives, and the circumstances involved in particular decisions. Review the fundamental principles of morality and consider how best to apply essential moral rules.

How Conscience Works 2. Elect Study, Elect, Execute, Review 2. Elect Decision should be based on whether the proposed action is consistent with who you are as God’s creation made in his image. An essential part of making this decision is to pray.

How Conscience Works 3. Execute This involves responsibility. Study, Elect, Execute, Review 3. Execute This involves responsibility. You must do what your conscience tells you is right or you sin. Be an actor, not a reactor. Take control of your own actions and own them.

How Conscience Works 4. Review Study, Elect, Execute, Review Evaluate and reflect on the actions already performed. If we have taken the steps to form a good conscience, then our conscience will be clear. If we have gone against what we know we should have done and sinned, then our conscience can help us repent and reform.

Peer Pressure and Conscience “The moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties, and constancy in the pursuit of the good” (CCC1808). fortitude

Peer Pressure and Conscience martyr A witness ready to suffer and even die for truth and virtue; martyrdom is the ultimate act of fortitude.

Peer Pressure and Conscience Fortitude How to resist negative peer pressure: Resolve to be your own person. Know your own standards. Use humor and grace to say “no.” Stay away from situations that might tempt you.

Conscience Virtue Vice Seer Fortitude Martyr Vocabulary Conscience Virtue Vice Seer Fortitude Martyr