Question about a Quote

[Will8503]

What is meant by this quote? I saw it on the Catholic Answers site under “Catholic Quotes”:

“Conscience remains hesitating, and convictions come to nothing, unless the teachings of religion complete the data of reason.”

– Jean Nourrisson, professor of philosophy, historian, member French Academy of Science; devout Catholic.

 

[Don_Schneider]

I don’t know for certain. My interpretation would be that the good professor is cautioning against the perils of moral relativism and extolling the virtue of absolute moral convictions based upon religious teachings. We must trust in and act in accordance with those teachings that define right and wrong; virtue and sin. One’s conscience must be informed before one can absolutely rely upon it.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

What is meant by this quote? I saw it on the Catholic Answers site under “Catholic Quotes”:

“Conscience remains hesitating, and convictions come to nothing, unless the teachings of religion complete the data of reason.”

– Jean Nourrisson, professor of philosophy, historian, member French Academy of Science; devout Catholic.

OK, so we see the natural world and come to certain conclusions. As long as we are thinking clearly, these are the “data of reason”.

Then we encounter religion. Religion *must * correspond to the conclusions we’ve already reached, or else religion will be fruitless. A faith that doesn’t encounter the realities of the world we live in will not bear any fruit.

That’s my best guess.