1. Guide to moral decision making
Conscience
Guide to moral decision making

2. Conscience
Conscience is not
A feeling
A theoretical act

3. Conscience
Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby a human judges whether a particular act is right or wrong according to an ethical point of view.
Conscience is “the soul of the soul.” (Origen)
Conscience is rooted in the truth

4. Arguments for the existence of conscience
Experience of our senses
Rational discernment
Moral reflection
Profound personal experience
Universal testimony

5. Divisions of conscience
Based on time of decision
Antecedent – before action
Concomitant – at the same time as the action
Consequent – after the action

6. Division of conscience
True (correct) conscience
Erroneous conscience – decides from false principles considered as true
Vincible ignorance – can be overcome
Invincible ignorance – cannot be overcome by reasonable diligence

7. Division of conscience
Scrupulous conscience – judges an act as wrong when it is not
Lax conscience – makes moral judgments with insufficient reflection

8. Formation of conscience
Acceptance of moral teaching
Knowledge of Christian life and doctrine
Prayer and meditation
Spiritual direction
Personal examination

9. Importance of conscience
One is obligated to follow his/her conscience.
Conscience is not infallible; in order to act “in good conscience” one must first seek to know what is truly good.