The Concept of Conscience in today's Empirical Psychology and in the Second Vatican Council

Conscience is a central factor in human behaviour, and as such it reflects the complexity of the human personality. Hence its proper understanding requires the contribution of the various disciplines which are concerned with the study of man. In this respect two disciplines which contribute much towards a proper understanding of conscience are psychology, which focuses on the 'phenomenological' aspect of human behaviour, and theology, which focuses on the 'transcendental' dimension of the human person. Hence, Thomas Srampickal analyses 'Conscience' in the light of the contribution of Empirical Psychology and of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. I whole-heartedly welcome this important and critical study, which has been accepted by the Alfonsian Academy, Rome, as dissertation for doctorate in Moral Theology, and do hope that it will contribute towards a more realistic and deeper understanding of the reality of conscience.