CONSCIENCE
INTRODUCTION
We live in an increasingly chaotic world! Of course the nations of the world have all had times of being unstable; a study of history makes this plain. However, in our generation, individuals and nations possess weapons of far greater power than ever before. This raises the question as to whether the consciences of human beings can have any influence on the serious chaos that is developing, also whether a lack of conscience is a significant cause. It must be recognised that human civilisations have largely failed to have any conscience in the past.
Religion, of whatever kind, should be a source of “conscience” among human beings; surely we all have a responsibility in this area. Therefore this is the reason why I am interested to know how one can really justify following his conscience especially as a Christian, with the understanding that conscience is a witness within a person. In its theological understanding, the concept of conscience embraces a moral endowment of all human beings.
In pointing out a way to promote Christian conscience, I will consider two main categories: deontological and teleological. The deontological context of conscience considers as its basic categories the notions of duty and the rightness of facts. In teleological context of conscience, what is central is the ultimate goal or aim. Morality should indicate what a person should be like for morality is for persons. Ethics has a role of providing a reasoned and reasonable basis for conduct. Therefore the topics are divided into three chapters; General concept of conscience and its significance, Christian perspective, elements and distinctive character of Christian conscience formation and lastly we shall look at promoting Christian formation of conscience and the moral teaching.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 GENERAL CONCEPT OF CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE
Sometimes the word “conscience” is used to refer to feelings and judgments which have no direct relationship with moral truth. The
We live in an increasingly chaotic world! Of course the nations of the world have all had times of being unstable; a study of history makes this plain. However, in our generation, individuals and nations possess weapons of far greater power than ever before. This raises the question as to whether the consciences of human beings can have any influence on the serious chaos that is developing, also whether a lack of conscience is a significant cause. It must be recognised that human civilisations have largely failed to have any conscience in the past.
Religion, of whatever kind, should be a source of “conscience” among human beings; surely we all have a responsibility in this area. Therefore this is the reason why I am interested to know how one can really justify following his conscience especially as a Christian, with the understanding that conscience is a witness within a person. In its theological understanding, the concept of conscience embraces a moral endowment of all human beings.
In pointing out a way to promote Christian conscience, I will consider two main categories: deontological and teleological. The deontological context of conscience considers as its basic categories the notions of duty and the rightness of facts. In teleological context of conscience, what is central is the ultimate goal or aim. Morality should indicate what a person should be like for morality is for persons. Ethics has a role of providing a reasoned and reasonable basis for conduct. Therefore the topics are divided into three chapters; General concept of conscience and its significance, Christian perspective, elements and distinctive character of Christian conscience formation and lastly we shall look at promoting Christian formation of conscience and the moral teaching.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 GENERAL CONCEPT OF CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE
Sometimes the word “conscience” is used to refer to feelings and judgments which have no direct relationship with moral truth. The
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