The classic definition of conscience in the Catholic Church is that of Thomas Aquinas for whom conscience is the mind of man passing moral judgments. It is the voice of reason separated from feeling, emotion and desire. Conscience is imbedded in the intellect which apprehends and interprets the moral law. It is not an immediate internal illumination of each person for himself without reference to an objective norm found outside of man and independent of his subjective persuasion. It requires development and careful training for knowing the laws of God. We have an obligation to educate it.
