1860 Unintentional ignorance can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offense. But no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man. The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest.
Hi Goout,
“no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of moral law” can be very puzzling in light of the fact that people
develop a conscience. What makes sense is that the “principles” are very accessible though, that we avoid what is hurtful and do what is helpful.
The specific
content of our conscience is not the same as “principles”; content is derived from experiences. This is not saying that the content is not innate, though; human experiences are generally very common. For example, as children someone takes something from us, and since we are naturally territorial with our possessions, we react. We learn that stealing is evil. The rule is universal for people, it is essentially written into all of our consciences; it is “formed” as Vico accurately states.
