Five Moral Principles for the Development of Conscience

Happy New Year To all! Thought I'd begin 2019 with reflecting on Conscience, both personal and corporate to help "set the tone" for 2019!

Peace and All Good to All!

Thomas Aquinas taught:”Conscience is the act of determining that which I ought to do or not do, or that I was right or wrong in performing that action.”

These moral principles may help to discern and development not only personal conscience but a Corporate conscience as well

1.   Put people first in your decision making.

-     How will my decision affect ALL concerned and can I “pay the price,” for this decision?

2.   Respect for individual human dignity.

-      One must separate personhood from behavior. You have a right to disagree with one’s behavior, but you have no right to go after one’s self-esteem.

3.   The fair treatment of all.

-      There can be no exceptions. Judge no one and look down on no one.

4.   Be Honest.

-      Dishonesty destroys trust which is necessary for human development.

-      To be dishonest is to risk losing trust and respect of others in us and in our integrity.

5.   Be compassionate, forgiving and show mercy.

-      Compassion really means understanding others.

-      Forgiveness means being given and giving other the opportunity to change and to be trusted  and respected

-      Mercy is a combination of compassion and forgiveness.