The Catholic Creed: Synderesis

The Catholic Creed: Synderesis

Synderesis

Synderesis, or more correctly synteresis, is a term used by the Scholastic theologians to signify the habitual knowledge of the universal practical principles of moral action. The reasoning process in the field of speculative science presupposes certain fundamental axioms on which all science rests. Such are the principle of contradiction, "a thing cannot be and not be at the same time," and self-evident truths like "the whole is greater than its part". These are the first principles of the speculative intellect. In the field of moral conduct there are similar first principles of action, such as: "evil must be avoided, good done"; "Do not to others what you would not wish to be done to yourself"; "Parents should be honoured"; "We should live temperately and act justly". Such as these are self-evident truths in the field of moral conduct which any sane person will admit if he understands them. According to the Scholastics, the readiness with which such moral truths are apprehended by the practical intellect is due to the natural habit impressed on the cognitive faculty which they call synderesis. While conscience is a dictate of the practical reason deciding that any particular action is right or wrong, synderesis is a dictate of the same practical reason which has for its object the first general principles of moral action.

From:

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIV. Published 1912. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, July 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York

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Synteresis was first used by the early Church Fathers to speak of the divine spark given by God to each individual human soul at the moment of conception of each individual soul. That divine spark is the basis for conscience of each human being. Everybody and that means everybody from Adam to the last human being every conceived knows right from wrong in that divine spark and conscience given them by God Himself by the Holy Spirit of God. No one has any excuse to sin and transgress the commandments of God and say they didn't know what they were doing. 

Gospel According to Saint John

Chapter 16

The conclusion of Christ's last discourse to his disciples.

1 These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. 

2 They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God. 

3 And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father, nor me. 

4 But these things I have told you, that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. 

5 But I told you not these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: Whither goest thou?

6 But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 

7 But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

8 And when he is come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment. 

9 Of sin: because they believed not in me. 

10 And of justice: because I go to the Father; and you shall see me no longer.

8 He will convict the world of sin: The Holy Ghost, by his coming brought over many thousands, first, to a sense of their sin in not believing in Christ. Secondly, to a conviction of the justice of Christ, now sitting at the right hand of his Father. And thirdly, to a right apprehension of the judgment prepared for them that choose to follow Satan, who is already judged and condemned.

11 And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged.