Conscience - Definition and Dimensions

**B. CONSCIENCE** DEFINITION OF CONSCIENCE \- a judgment of reason that recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act \- Guides our free will so that we would choose what is good and avoid what is evil \- NOT something found outside our bodies, which whispers to us what we need to do; NOT somet...

**B. CONSCIENCE** DEFINITION OF CONSCIENCE \- a judgment of reason that recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act \- Guides our free will so that we would choose what is good and avoid what is evil \- NOT something found outside our bodies, which whispers to us what we need to do; NOT something detached from us \- Found within us; A part of human nature \- NOT God's voice telling us what to do; based on what we learned about what God wants to tell us \- Sometimes, it can be formed wrongly and can tell us to choose wrongly as well \- NOT the feeling of guilt or feeling bothered after doing something bad \- Guilt shows us that conscience is working and helps us realize our wrongdoings. **1. DIMENSIONS OF CONSCIENCE** a\. SUBJECTIVE DIMENSION - Conscience is not "kanya-kanya" - Our conscience is ours and no one else b\. OBJECTIVE DIMENSION - Conscience is shaped and molded by others - It is guided by fundamental human values of the society (i.e. laws) - Conscience is shaped by our parents, friends, school, religion, and state **2. LEVELS OF CONSCIENCE** a\. INSTINCTIVE LEVEL - "Conscience of children" who do not yet see the intrinsic goodness or evilness of an act. - It has no inner conviction or commitment - It provides no reason for doing something: "basta" - It is a morality based on reward and punishment - It is mostly concerned with outward performances - Feelings serve as the primary factor in doing b\. ETHICAL/MORAL LEVEL - We become aware that goodness does not depend on the approval of others - Good intentions are already present - It generates a sense of obligation c\. CERTAIN/MATURE LEVEL - Conscience is grounded on love. - Moral actions are responses of faith in God - It is not restricted to any area of behavior or feelings - There's harmony between what is external (actions) with what is internal (thoughts and feelings)