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Section 1
Rules For A Formed Conscience

229. We have seen that there are only two states of the human spirit relative to conscience: formed and unformed conscience (cf. 215-218). Formed conscience, we said, can be either true or erroneous (cf. 220).

We shall first present the rules for a true conscience, then those for an erroneous conscience. Finally we shall investigate how we move from unformed to formed conscience.

Chapter 1

True Conscience

230. It is always unlawful to act against a true conscience when it declares an act(129) sinful. This is an obvious, well-known rule, needing no demonstration. Clearly, to desire an act which we have truthfully judged unlawful, is to desire what is unlawful, that is, to sin.

Notes

(129) Whatever can be said about action can be said equally about omission: if conscience prohibits, action is blameworthy; if conscience commands, omission is blameworthy. To choose either is to choose sin.