Journal 15 Proj. 2
What is an Informed Conscience?
In order to make a decision doctor’s access a wide range of medical knowledge and patient history in order to diagnose a problem and treatment. The same principle can be applied to making moral decisions. We must be well informed regarding all the facts of the situation, moral values, virtues and laws in order to make our final decision. Therefore, an informed catholic conscience is an educated conscience that knows in any given situation.
Read the following scenario and answer the questions:
Roger Smith, a quite competent swimmer, is out for a leisurely stroll. During the course of his walk he passes by a deserted pier from which a teenage boy who apparently cannot swim has fallen into the water. The boy is screaming for help. Smith recognizes that there is absolutely no danger to himself if he jumps in to save the boy; he could easily succeed if he tried. Nevertheless, he chooses to ignore the boy’s cries. The water is cold and he is afraid of catching a cold — he doesn’t want to get his good clothes wet either. “Why should I inconvenience myself for this kid,” Smith says to himself, and passes on.
1.) There are always TWO sides to a conscience. What would Roger’s conscience be telling him?
Rogers good side would be begging him to use his gift as an advantage and attemp to save the teenage boy. His bad side would then be telling him otherwise such as, relax he can get out of the situation himself you don’t need to bother to save him just keep walking.
In order to make a decision doctor’s access a wide range of medical knowledge and patient history in order to diagnose a problem and treatment. The same principle can be applied to making moral decisions. We must be well informed regarding all the facts of the situation, moral values, virtues and laws in order to make our final decision. Therefore, an informed catholic conscience is an educated conscience that knows in any given situation.
Read the following scenario and answer the questions:
Roger Smith, a quite competent swimmer, is out for a leisurely stroll. During the course of his walk he passes by a deserted pier from which a teenage boy who apparently cannot swim has fallen into the water. The boy is screaming for help. Smith recognizes that there is absolutely no danger to himself if he jumps in to save the boy; he could easily succeed if he tried. Nevertheless, he chooses to ignore the boy’s cries. The water is cold and he is afraid of catching a cold — he doesn’t want to get his good clothes wet either. “Why should I inconvenience myself for this kid,” Smith says to himself, and passes on.
1.) There are always TWO sides to a conscience. What would Roger’s conscience be telling him?
Rogers good side would be begging him to use his gift as an advantage and attemp to save the teenage boy. His bad side would then be telling him otherwise such as, relax he can get out of the situation himself you don’t need to bother to save him just keep walking.
2.) Think of an example of Jesus’ teaching and explain how his teachings can help us to make an appropriate decision?
Arguably the most important part of his life was when he gave his own life for us and taking away our sins. Jesus made this decision because it benifitted others and was a total selfless decision, with other persons being in mind. Jesus taught us to be selfless just like him, to give to others, treat others how you would like to be treated and that good deeds like that will not go un-rewarded.
