Seemingly familiar moral terms, may at times involve more than we first realize.

Take conscience for example. It is a word we’re certainly familiar with, and one we probably use frequently. But if push came to shove, how well could we define it?

Most of us would likely say something like “it’s our sense of what’s right and wrong” or “that inner voice which tells us the right thing to do.” We might even think of media portrayals like “Jiminy Cricket” or of having a little angel and devil on our shoulders.

While there may be some merit in thinking of conscience in these ways, if this is the extent of our knowledge, then it may be beneficial to take a deeper look. This is especially the case because of all the attention conscience and its protection (or lack thereof) has gotten over the last several years, and will most certainly continue to receive.

Because of this, I will be dedicating a few columns to this topic, so that not only our consciences themselves, but also our understanding of what conscience is, and is not, can be better formed.

Conscience, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1778), is: “a judgment of reason, whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed.”

This definition is far more thorough and accurate than others because it points out several different components that together make up this uniquely human capacity.

We know that being made in God’s image and likeness is the source of our dignity. But it is also the genesis of our capacity for conscience. Conscience enables us to share in God’s knowledge of what is truly good. That fact, among other things, bestows upon us both the capacity for moral responsibility and moral responsibility itself.

If properly formed, conscience allows us to hear God’s voice speaking within; directing us toward the good and away from evil (CCC, 1776, 1777).

If we look at the word itself, we begin to see why the Church uses this definition.

The roots of the word “conscience” literally mean “with knowledge.” This is important because of the first part of that definition — especially the phrase “a judgment of reason.” Conscience is fundamentally a rational judgment — it is a conclusion formed about the nature of what is good and evil in an actual situation based on knowledge. It is not simply a viewpoint or feeling or sentiment.

In other words, its focus must be on what is “objectively” good or evil and not what I “subjectively” think, feel, wish or prefer were good and evil.

My conscience, while existing within me, as a part of me, is at the same time a means by which I adhere to the reality of good and evil existing independent of me. Therefore, it connects me with something outside of myself or beyond the realm of personal opinion or preference.

Conscience, if it is to accomplish what it was given to us to accomplish, must be attuned to how God sees good and evil. It is never a matter of personal or public opinion (although if not careful, can be overly influenced by both). It seeks to understand things as they truly are — as God, the ground of all reality, truth and goodness, understands them.

However, the presence of sin in the world makes this is exceedingly difficult. Left to our own devices we would ultimately fail to truly see good and evil as such. For this task, we need help.

“From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1b-2)

If we are to recognize and understand good and evil as God does, we will need His help. How we begin tapping into this help will be the topic for my next column.