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Holly3278
Guest
I noticed the other thread on Invincible Ignorance and it got me to thinking. How exactly would Invincible Ignorance be defined?
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mardukm
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In short, it is lack of knowledge or belief that cannot be overcome volitionally.I noticed the other thread on Invincible Ignorance and it got me to thinking. How exactly would Invincible Ignorance be defined?
Blessings,
Marduk
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Ron_Conte
Guest
When there is a substantial lack of knowledge that the act is immoral, despite substantial sincere efforts by the individual to find the truth of morality as it pertains to that act and to acts in general, then the culpability is substantially reduced, even in some cases to the extent of no culpability at all. This complete reduction of culpability is called invincible ignorance. It occurs when the individual did not know and could not know, within the particular limitations of that individual’s life, that the act was immoral.
Vatican II says this about invincible ignorance and conscience:
“In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God; to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths. In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor. In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of men in the search for truth, and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals from social relationships. Hence the more right conscience holds sway, the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality. Conscience frequently errs from invincible ignorance without losing its dignity. The same cannot be said for a man who cares but little for truth and goodness, or for a conscience which by degrees grows practically sightless as a result of habitual sin.” (Gaudium et Spes, n. 16)
Vatican II says this about invincible ignorance and conscience:
“In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God; to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths. In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor. In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of men in the search for truth, and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals from social relationships. Hence the more right conscience holds sway, the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality. Conscience frequently errs from invincible ignorance without losing its dignity. The same cannot be said for a man who cares but little for truth and goodness, or for a conscience which by degrees grows practically sightless as a result of habitual sin.” (Gaudium et Spes, n. 16)
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DavidFilmer
Guest
Invincible ignorance means you can’t sin without knowing it (ie, are ignorant of the sinful nature of the act).
Ignorance itself can be sinful if we are negligent in taking reasonable steps to become properly informed - it is a sin of neglect (omission, not commission). But acts committed because of this ignorance cannot be sinful.
Ignorance itself can be sinful if we are negligent in taking reasonable steps to become properly informed - it is a sin of neglect (omission, not commission). But acts committed because of this ignorance cannot be sinful.
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Ron_Conte
Guest
Invincible ignorance does not apply to “a man who cares but little for truth and goodness, or for a conscience which by degrees grows practically sightless as a result of habitual sin.”Invincible ignorance means you can’t sin without knowing it (ie, are ignorant of the sinful nature of the act).
Ignorance itself can be sinful if we are negligent in taking reasonable steps to become properly informed - it is a sin of neglect (omission, not commission). But acts committed because of this ignorance cannot be sinful.
For example, suppose a person refuses to consider whether his actions are unjust. Those actions are sinful because the person has chosen to be willfully ignorant.
On the other hand, if a person has been negligent in the past, but in the present moment seeks moral truth sincerely, he does not sin if he fails to understand that his present act is objectively immoral. His sin of negligence is in the past, not the present.
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steve_b
Guest
Invincible ignorance is a lack of knowledge, that a person is incapable of acquiring or correcting, after making an effort.Invincible ignorance means you can’t sin without knowing it (ie, are ignorant of the sinful nature of the act).
if no effort is being made to know something, that’s plain old garden variety ignorance. Ignorance we’re all guilty of on many things. But something we can correct by effort.
Something invincible, can’t be overcome, no matter how much effort one makes to overcome it.
Q: in matters of our faith and morals, what teaching in your opinion would qualify to be so difficult for one to overcome, that it would be invincible?
D:
A person’s ignorance is not necessarily free of guilt.Ignorance itself can be sinful if we are negligent in taking reasonable steps to become properly informed - it is a sin of neglect (omission, not commission). But acts committed because of this ignorance cannot be sinful.
CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1801
CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1791
It’s also good to remember, “May not be culpable,” ≠ “will not be culpable”.
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