CONSCIENCE
1. Popular Definitions
Conscience is derived from three Latin
words – cum alia scientia. This means
the application of knowledge to a
specific individual.
1.1. A “little voice” within.
In the popular mind of Filipinos, conscience
is understood as that “little voice within”
(tinig ng budhi) which tells us whether we
have done right or wrong.
Perhaps more importantly, this little voice
tells us whether the decision we are
considering or contemplating to do is a good
CONSCIENCE
1.2. An indicator of joy or guilt.
In relation to the above-mentioned
definition, conscience is also understood
as a place within us where we feel a
sense of joy and contentment when we
act rightly, and a sense of disquiet and
guilt if we act wrongly.
At times, popular definitions like these
are useful as starting points, but they
are not very accurate, and they do not
adequately distinguish conscience from
CONSCIENCE
2. Essential Definitions
2.1. Conscience is a judgment of
human reason
concerning the moral goodness of
evil of one’s action.
It is not a separate faculty from the
intellect. Rather, it is an act of the
human intellect regarding an action
with respect to the morality of that
action.
Since it is an act of judgment, it
considers a choice between what is
CONSCIENCE
2.2. Conscience is an ultimate,
practical judgment on the morality
of a concrete action, commanding to
do what is good and to avoid what is
evil.
It is called a practical judgment because
it is related to praxis (concrete practice
or action) of the moral activity.
CONSCIENCE
Conscience goes into action
when the following are to be
judged:
2.2.1. The morality of an action or a
concrete line of conduct (which a person
wants to do or has already done), and
2.2.2. Its corresponding moral
obligation (consequences) in the
concrete situation [K. Peschke, 1996:
172-173].
The object, therefore, of conscience is
Types of Conscience
Moralists present the types of conscience
differently. For purposes of our study, we
will present the types of conscience by
division.
1.Antecedent or Consequent Conscience
1.1. Antecedent Conscience – if the
judgment on the morality of an action is done
even before a particular action is performed.
The antecedent conscience functions in either
of the following:
It exhorts – gives advice or warning;
It permits – allows one to proceed;
Types of Conscience
1.2. Consequent Conscience – if it
evaluates an act already committed or
omitted. The consequent conscience
functions in either of the following:
It approves – affirmation of the goodness of an
act;
It excuses – gives a reason, for example for
doing or not doing an act;
It reproves – negates the presence of goodness
in an act;
It accuses – points a finger to the doer of the
evil act.
Types of Conscience
2.Certain or Doubtful Conscience
2.1. Certain Conscience
– a conscience is certain if it passes judgment
without fear of error. Thus, a person who is
convinced he has paid the PhP 500.00 he owed
from a friend has a certain conscience.
2.2. Doubtful Conscience
– if it is uncertain about the morality of an act.
Thus, a person who cannot determine whether
letting his wife die by pulling the plug has a
doubtful conscience. This conscience suspends
judgment; or it passes judgment with the fear
of committing an error.
Types of Conscience
3.Right or Erroneous Conscience
3.1. Right
– it presents good as good and evil as
evil. The practical moral judgment
agrees or disagrees with the objective
norms of morality.
A person who decides not to take home
office items without the permission of
the authority has a right conscience.
Types of Conscience
3.2. Erroneous
– it mistakenly judges something good
to be evil, and something evil to be
good. It may result from a malformation
of one’s conscience due to ignorance
(both invincible ignorance and vincible
ignorance) or wrong information.
Thus, a student who feels justified to
spread slanderous remarks about a
fellow student who has previously done
the same to her acts with an erroneous
conscience.
Types of Conscience
4. Lax, Scrupulous, and Tender
Conscience
4.1. Lax – it is inclined to judge something to
be lawful that which is sinful, or something to
be a light sin that which is grave.
A person with a lax conscience sometimes
becomes persuaded that great sins are
permissible. They find excuses for grave
misconduct.
Such people begin by rationalizing minor
faults, until their conscience becomes dull and
incapable of proper decision. Such is the act of
a psychologist who reveals a very serious
professional secret about a patient to some lay
Types of Conscience
4.2. Scrupulous Conscience – it sees
evil where there is none.
4.3. Tender Conscience – it is
sometimes called “delicate” conscience
because it forms correct judgment with
comparison even in matters which involve
a fine distinction. Such a conscience is
developed by many sincere people. In
achieving this desirable goal, the guidance
of a regular confessor or spiritual director
is of tremendous value.
Types of Conscience
Conscience is an infallible guide in
each individual.
If we act according to our
conscience, we are acting rightly
whether or not we have received
training in morals or ethics.
Therefore, goodwill and sincerity are
more important that a thorough
knowledge of moral or ethical
principles [K. Peschke, 1996: 158-
187; R. Padilla, 1993:56-62; CFC:
