Kinds of conscience

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Thomas Slater, S.J. — 4 passages

Vol. I, Bk. II, Chapter I. The Notion of Conscience, nn. 1 & 2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Chapter II. The Certain Conscience, n. 3 — If I have this imperfect moral certainty that my action is right, I am justified in acting, and if with such certainty my conscience tells me that I am bound to act, I must do so, even though my conscience be erroneous. … Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. III, Ch. X, Section V. Civil or Municipal Law, n. 2 — With regard, however, to such laws as it is within the competence of the State to make, conscience obliges us to pay loyal obedience to those which urge and apply the law of nature. Near relatives are bound to support th… Read in context →

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Ludovicus Wouters, C.SS.R. — 8 passages

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. II, Diss. II, Pt. I, Sect. III, Ch. II, Art. I, § II, Division, and Directive Force of Conscience Properly So Called, nn. 216, 217, 218 & 219 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. II, Diss. II, Pt. I, Sect. III, Ch. II, Art. I, § III. On the Conscience Required for Acting Licitly, n. 220 — Proposition. For acting licitly, certainty strictly so called concerning the honesty of the action to be placed here and now is required. This is clear, first, from Sacred Scripture. "But he who discerns, if he eats, is … Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. II, Diss. II, Pt. I, Sect. III, Ch. II, Art. I, § IV. On the Comparison of the Required Conscience, nn. 221 & 222 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. II, Diss. II, Pt. I, Sect. III, Ch. II, Art. II, § I. On Strict and Lax Conscience, n. 238 — I. He has a strict conscience who habitually, from a slighter reason, judges that something is a sin or a grave sin which involves no malice or only slight malice. One who labors under a strict conscience should strive t… Read in context →

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

John A. McHugh, O.P., and Charles J. Callan, O.P. — 54 passages

Vol. I, Introduction, n. 2 — Hence, Moral Theology differs from various related sciences or habits. Thus: (a) it differs from Ethics, which is the science of human conduct as directed by reason to man’s natural end, for Moral Theology uses faith as … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 1. The Law of Conscie…, Definition, n. 575 — Definition. (Summa Theologica, I, q. 79, aa. 11-13.) Definition.—Conscience is an act of judgment on the part of the practical reason deciding by inference from general principles the moral goodness or malice of a particular act. (a… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 1. The Law of Conscie…, Division, nn. 576, 577 & 578 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 1. The Law of Conscie…, Obligation of Conscience, nn. 580, 581, 582 & 585 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 1. The Law of Conscie…, Results of Conscience, nn. 588, 589 & 591 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 2. A Good Conscience, Introduction, n. 593 — (Summa Theologica, I-II, q. 19, aa. 5, 6.) As was explained in the previous article, conscience is not a proper guide unless it is good. In this article we shall speak of the good conscience and of its opposite the vario… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 2. A Good Conscience, Definitions, n. 594 — Definition. Definition.—The distinction of good and bad conscience is applied both to consequent and antecedent conscience (see 576). (a) The consequent conscience is good, and one is said to have a good conscience, if it testifies … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 2. A Good Conscience, Divisions, nn. 595 & 596 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 2. A Good Conscience, The Scrupulous Conscience, nn. 607, 608, 609, 611 & 612 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 2. A Good Conscience, Scrupulosity, nn. 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 625, 626, 627, 628, 630 & 632 (14 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 2. A Good Conscience, Practical Conclusions, n. 638 — Signs of a Good Conscience. Signs of a Good Conscience.—(a) Extraordinary holiness is not necessary before one may consider one’s conscience good, for there are degrees of goodness. If, therefore, a person’s external life is directed by the duties … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Introduction, n. 640 — (Summa Theologica, I-II, q. 57, a. 5; II-II, q. 47, a. 9.) As was said above, only that conscience is a safe guide which is not only good—that is, in agreement, as far as one’s efforts can secure this, with the external … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Kinds of Certitude, n. 643 — Kinds of Certitude. Kinds of Certitude.—Judgments may be certain in a greater or less degree. (a) They are metaphysically certain, when error is absolutely impossible, the opposite of what is held by the mind being a contradiction in terms … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, An Uncertain Conscience, nn. 654 & 655 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Doubt and Suspicion, nn. 656, 657 & 658 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Opinion, nn. 662 & 668 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, The Moral Systems, n. 672 — The Moral Systems. The Moral Systems.—There are two general systems regarding reflex moral principles: (a) Tutiorism, which teaches that the only principle which can change uncertainty into certainty is: “When one is undecided between the … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Tutiorism, n. 676 — Tutiorism. Tutiorism.—This system has been condemned by the Church, and with good reason, for the following motives: (a) If by that which is safer, Tutiorism intends that which is better, it contradicts the Gospel, which distinguis… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Laxism, n. 680 — Laxism. Laxism.—The extreme opposite of Tutiorism is Laxism, whose principle is: “When one is undecided between the safer and the less safe, one may choose the less safe, if it is only slightly or uncertainly probable,” because … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Probabiliorism, n. 683 — Probabiliorism. Probabiliorism.—The arguments in favor of Probabiliorism are as follows: (a) extrinsic or from authority. This system is more ancient, and, when the controversy over systems began in the seventeenth century, this was the… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Equiprobabilism, n. 688 — Equiprobabilism. Equiprobabilism.—The doctrine of Equiprobabilism is a middle way between Probabiliorism and Probabilism. Thus: (a) it agrees with Probabiliorism in holding that it is not lawful to follow the less safe, if the safer is m… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Probabilism, n. 701 — Probabilism. Probabilism.—The meaning of Probabilism can be seen from a comparison with the opposite systems. (a) Unlike Probabiliorism and Equiprobabilism, Probabilism does not require a greater or equal probability, but permits one… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Compensationism, n. 731 — Compensationism. Compensationism.—Between 1850 and 1880 a number of theologians, feeling that there were serious difficulties against all the systems up to then considered, developed a reformed or restricted Probabilism, which would not … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. IV, Art. 3. A Certain Conscience, Practical Conclusions, nn. 740 & 741 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Commentaries on the Nature of Moral Theology, on Conscience and Probabilism, on the Fourth Precept, and on the Sixth and Ninth Precepts of the Decalogue (Commentarii)

Gennaro Bucceroni, S.J.

Bucceroni, Commentaries (1910), Second Commentary: On Cons…, I. On the Nature of Conscience, n. 10 — 10. Therefore conscience is divided: 1. Into right and erroneous conscience. Right conscience is that which dictates what is true; erroneous conscience is that which dictates as true what is false. Erroneous conscience i… Read in context →

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Gennaro Bucceroni, S.J. — 9 passages

Vol. I, On Conscience, I. On the Nature of Conscience, nn. 95 & 98 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, On Conscience, II. On Certain Conscience, nn. 99 & 103 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, On Conscience, III. On Probable Conscience, n. 111 — What is probable conscience; and what is its directive force? - "Probable conscience is that by which someone, relying on some probable opinion, forms for himself a practical dictate of reason from certain reflex, or con… Read in context →

Vol. I, On Conscience, V. On Doubtful Conscience, nn. 137, 153 & 154 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, On Conscience, VI. On Scrupulous Conscience, n. 158 — What is scrupulous conscience? - A scruple is an empty apprehension, and from this arising fear and anxiety, that sin is somewhere where it is not; or that there is grave sin where there is only light sin. Therefore scru… Read in context →

Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.

Jean-Pierre Gury, S.J.; notes by Antonio Ballerini, S.J. — 10 passages

Vol. I, Treatise On Conscience, Chapter I. On Right and Erroneous Conscience, nn. 37 & 38 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Arthur Vermeersch, S.J. — 5 passages

Vol. I, Tr. IV, Title II: On Habitual Conscience, n. ¶1 — The usefulness of this title is very great for the direction of souls or the pastoral ministry.Read in context →

Vol. I, Tr. IV, Tit. II, Article I: On Right and Tender Conscience, nn. 376, 377, 378 & 379 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Clement Marc, C.SS.R. — 13 passages

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. I, Chapter I: On True and Erroneous Conscience, nn. ¶15, ¶16, ¶17, ¶18, ¶19, ¶20, ¶21, ¶22, ¶1, ¶2, ¶23, ¶5 & ¶29 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Dominic M. Prümmer, O.P. — 6 passages

Vol. I, Pt. I, Tract IV. On Conscience, Ch. I, Article II. On The Division Of Conscience, nn. ¶48, 304 & 305 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Tract IV. On Conscience, Ch. IV, Article I. On Perplexed Conscience, nn. ¶49, 317 & 318 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium

Anthony Konings, C.SS.R. — 5 passages

Vol. I, Treatise on Conscience, Ch. I, False, and Perplexed Conscience, nn. ¶33, ¶34, ¶35, ¶36 & ¶37 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Benedict Henry Merkelbach, O.P. — 165 passages

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Conscience in…, First Question: On Moral Conscience According to Itself in Psychological Being, nn. ¶1, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203 & 204 (34 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Conscience in…, Second Question: On Consci…, Article I: On the Rectitude of Conscience, nn. ¶1, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211 & 212 (32 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: On the Virtue…, Ch. I, Question Two: On the Speci…, Article I: On True Conscience, nn. ¶1, 53, 54, 55 & 56 (19 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: On the Virtue…, Chapter III: On the Formation of a Right and Certain Conscience, n. ¶1 — In the Case of Uncertainty and Error Together.. It can happen that conscience labors under a double defect and, on the part both of object and of subject, lacks the required qualities, namely, if it is erroneous and at the same time uncertain. And therefore it must es… Read in context →

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: On the Virtue…, Ch. III, Single Question: On the Species of Conscience — On the Part of the Object and at the Same Time of the Subject, n. 112 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: On the Virtue…, Ch. III, Single Question: On the Sp…, Article I: On Perplexed Conscience, nn. ¶1, 113, 114 & 115 (17 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: On the Virtue…, Ch. III, Single Question: On the Sp…, Article II: On Lax Conscience, nn. 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121 & 122 (50 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Second Part: On the Virtue…, Ch. III, Single Question: On the Sp…, Article III: On Narrow and Scrupulous Conscience, n. 123 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Aloysius Sabetti, S.J., and Timothy Barrett, S.J. — 3 passages

Vol. I, Tr. II, Chapter I. On Right and Erroneous Conscience, nn. 30, 31 & 32 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa Summae S. Thomae (Billuart)

Charles-René Billuart, O.P. — 32 passages

Billuart, Summa Summae, Tomus II. On the Prima Sec…, On Human Acts, On Conscience, What is conscience, and of how many kinds?, nn. 1–17 (17 passages)

Billuart, Summa Summae, Tomus II. On the Prima Sec…, On Human Acts, On Conscience, How the confessor should deal with a penitent whom he finds laboring under an erroneous conscience?, nn. 1–15 (15 passages)

Christian Theology, Dogmatic and Moral, in Compendium

Daniele Concina, O.P. — 10 passages

Bk. II, Diss. I, Chapter I — On Conscience, and its division, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & X (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Brief Text-Book of Moral Philosophy

Charles Coppens, S.J.

Chapter III: Law the Rule of Human Acts, n. 96 — 96\. My conscience, with regard to any particular act may be correct or erroneous; its judgment may be certain or doubtful; the doubt may be concerning a law or a fact. A doubtful judgment is called an opinion; the reaso… Read in context →