Project Abstract

The binding force of conscience in St. Thomas Aquinas is a crucial aspect of his ethical and theological thought. In Aquinas' understanding, conscience is the practical judgment of reason determining the goodness or evil of a particular action. Conscience, for Aquinas, is not merely a feeling or personal preference but a moral faculty that allows individuals to discern right from wrong based on their understanding of the natural law. Aquinas argues that conscience has a binding force on individuals because it represents the application of the eternal law to specific situations. The eternal law, as the divine reason that governs the universe, provides the normative basis for moral actions. Conscience, therefore, serves as the intermediary between the eternal law and human actions, guiding individuals towards moral behavior in accordance with divine order. Furthermore, Aquinas distinguishes between a true conscience, which is well-informed and aligned with the natural law, and a false conscience, which is erroneous and leads individuals to act contrary to moral principles. A true conscience binds individuals to follow the dictates of reason and the natural law, while a false conscience can result in moral wrongdoing due to ignorance or misinterpretation of moral norms. According to Aquinas, individuals have a duty to follow their conscience, as it represents their best judgment of what is morally right. Even if one's conscience is mistaken, Aquinas maintains that following it in good faith is morally praiseworthy, as it demonstrates a sincere desire to do what is perceived as morally correct. However, individuals also have a responsibility to form their conscience in accordance with the natural law and seek guidance from moral authorities to ensure that their conscience is well-informed and aligned with objective moral truth. In conclusion, the binding force of conscience in St. Thomas Aquinas is a central aspect of his moral theory, emphasizing the importance of reason, natural law, and moral discernment in guiding human actions. Conscience, as the practical judgment of reason, serves as the moral compass that directs individuals towards virtuous behavior and holds them accountable for their moral choices. By understanding and following the dictates of a well-formed conscience, individuals can fulfill their moral obligations and strive towards the ultimate good as defined by the eternal law.

Project Overview

Title …   …   …   …     …   …   …    …   …   …   …     …   …     … i                                                                                                                 Certification    …   …   …   …   …     …   …   …   …     …   …   … ii

Dedication      …   …   …   …   …   …   …     …   …     …   …   … iii

Acknowledgment    …   …   …   …   …   …     …   …     …   …   … iv

A Brief Profile of St. Thomas Aquinas …   …     …   …     …   …   …   v

Table of Contents …     …   …   …     …     …     …    …     …   …   … vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                INTRODUCTION …   …   …     …   …   …   …       …       …     1

1.1.   Background of the Study …   …   …   …   …     …       …     …     3

1.2.   Statement of the Problem     …     …    …   …      …       …     …   4

1.3.   Aim of the Study…     …   …     …     …     …     …       …     …    5

1.4.   Scope of the Study     …     …       …   …     …     …       …     …     6

1.5.         Methodology of Research   …     …     …   …     …       …      …     6

1.6.          Division of Work …   …   …   …     …   …       …       …     …     7

 

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW  …   …   …   …   …     …     …     …     8

2.1. Views of Some Thinkers on Conscience …   …   …     …       …     …   8

2.1.1. Ancient   …     …     …       …       …       …     …     …     …   …   8

2.1.2. Medieval …     …     …       …       …       …   …     …      …   … 11

 

CHAPTER THREE

3.0. THE GENERAL CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE     …   …     …   17

3.1.   Synderesis and Conscience …   …     …   …   …     …     …     …   21

3.2.   Kinds of Conscience …      …     …     …   …   …   …   …     …   23

3.2.1. Conscience in Relation to Objective Morality …     …     …     … 24

3.2.2. Conscience in Relation to Judgment of Action …     …     …       … 28

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0. AQUINAS’ NOTION OF CONSCIENCE      …     …     …   …   30

4.1. The Binding Force of Conscience …   …   …   …   …     …   …   37

4.2. The Problem of Error in Conscience     …   …   …   …     …     …   41

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0. CRITICAL EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION …     …     … 46

5.1. Critical Evaluation …     …     …     …   …     …   …     …     … 46

5.2. Conclusion   …     …     …     …     …     …   …    …       …     … 57

BIBLIOGRAPHY …   …     …     …