Conscience in the Light of Theological Teaching: Dogmatics, Moral Theology, Spirituality WT-SSTA-CLTT
The course offers a comprehensive theological exploration of conscience as a fundamental dimension of the human person and of Christian moral and spiritual life. It approaches the concept of conscience through three complementary theological perspectives: dogmatics, moral theology, and spirituality. This interdisciplinary approach makes it possible to examine conscience not merely as an individual psychological experience or subjective sense of right and wrong, but as a profound dimension of the person’s relationship to truth, freedom, moral responsibility, other persons, and ultimately to God.
The course begins with the biblical foundations of the Christian understanding of conscience, with particular attention to the notion of the human heart and the Pauline concept of syneidēsis. It then traces the development of the concept throughout the history of Christian thought, examining selected contributions of the Church Fathers, medieval theologians, especially Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, and modern and contemporary theological reflection. Particular consideration is given to the distinction between synderesis and conscientia in the scholastic tradition and to the understanding of conscience as a practical moral judgment.
From the perspective of dogmatic theology, the course considers conscience within the broader context of Christian anthropology. It examines the relationship between conscience and human dignity, the image of God, freedom, revelation, sin, grace, and the vocation of the human person. Moral theology provides the framework for examining conscience in relation to objective moral truth, natural law, moral norms, virtue, responsibility, and freedom. Particular attention is given to the formation of conscience and to classical theological distinctions concerning certain, doubtful, erroneous, and scrupulous conscience.
The spiritual dimension of conscience constitutes a further central theme. Conscience is considered in relation to conversion, examination of conscience, prayer, repentance, reconciliation, discernment, spiritual direction, and the search for God's will. The course explores both the healthy formation of conscience and possible distortions of conscience, including scrupulosity and forms of moral subjectivism.
Finally, the course considers selected contemporary challenges surrounding conscience in a pluralistic and rapidly changing society. These include questions of personal authenticity, moral disagreement, professional responsibility, social and political responsibility, and selected bioethical issues. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to integrate theological reflection with careful analysis of primary sources and to understand conscience as a dynamic meeting point of truth, freedom, responsibility, and grace.
Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Poziom przedmiotu
Symbol/Symbole kierunkowe efektów uczenia się
Typ przedmiotu
Wymagania wstępne
Efekty uczenia się
Course-Specific Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student:
Knowledge
Defines and explains the theological concept of conscience and its biblical, historical, dogmatic, moral, and spiritual foundations.
Describes and critically discusses the development of the Christian understanding of conscience from the biblical tradition through patristic and medieval theology to contemporary theological reflection.
Explains the relationship between conscience and fundamental theological concepts, including human dignity, freedom, truth, natural law, moral law, sin, grace, and virtue.
Distinguishes the perspectives of dogmatic theology, moral theology, and spirituality in their approaches to conscience.
Identifies and explains major theological distinctions concerning conscience, including correct and erroneous conscience, certain and doubtful conscience, and scrupulous conscience.
Describes the relationship between personal conscience, moral responsibility, and the teaching authority of the Church.
Skills
Interprets and critically analyses selected biblical, theological, and magisterial texts concerning conscience.
Applies theological principles concerning conscience to selected moral, spiritual, and pastoral situations.
Analyses the relationship between subjective moral judgment and objective moral truth in the light of Christian theological tradition.
Formulates coherent theological arguments concerning questions of conscience and supports them with appropriate primary and secondary sources.
Compares and evaluates different theological approaches to conscience, identifying their underlying anthropological, moral, and spiritual assumptions.
Uses appropriate theological terminology and scholarly methods in oral and written discussion of issues related to conscience.
Social and Personal Competences
Recognizes the importance of the formation of conscience for responsible moral decision-making and Christian spiritual growth.
Demonstrates an ability to approach questions of conscience with intellectual responsibility, theological openness, and respect for the dignity of the human person.
Integrates insights from dogmatic theology, moral theology, and spirituality in reflecting on complex questions concerning conscience.
Demonstrates readiness to engage responsibly in theological and ethical dialogue concerning situations of moral disagreement, uncertainty, and conflict of conscience.
Kryteria oceniania
Assessment Criteria
The final grade will be based on the following components:
Class participation and engagement – 20%
active participation in class discussions and activities,
preparation for classes,
engagement in the analysis of theological texts and issues.
Semester project – 30%
preparation and presentation of a PowerPoint presentation on a topic related to conscience in the light of dogmatics, moral theology, and spirituality,
appropriate use of theological sources,
clarity, structure, and quality of the presentation,
ability to present and discuss the chosen topic.
Final test – 50%
knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and issues discussed during the course,
understanding of the theological teaching on conscience,
ability to apply the acquired knowledge to theological and moral questions.
Więcej informacji
Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb: