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Examination of conscience
Examination of conscience
from Wikipedia
A man making an examination of conscience mentally lists his sins.

Examination of conscience is a review of one's past thoughts, words, actions, and omissions for the purpose of ascertaining their conformity with, or deviation from, the moral law. Among Christians, this is generally a private review; secular intellectuals have, on occasion, published autocritiques for public consumption. In the Catholic Church, penitents who wish to receive the sacrament of penance are encouraged to examine their conscience using the Ten Commandments as a guide, or the Beatitudes, or the virtues and vices. The doctrine of examination of conscience is taught in Lutheran Churches, where penitents who wish to receive Holy Absolution are asked to use the Ten Commandments as a guide before confessing their sins to the priest (pastor).

"The excellence of this practice and its fruitfulness for Christian virtue," preached Pope Pius X, "are clearly established by the teaching of the great masters of the spiritual life."[1] St. Ignatius of Loyola considered the examination of conscience as the single most important spiritual exercise.[citation needed] In his Spiritual Exercises he presents different forms of it in the particular and general examination (24-43). Of the general examination he writes; "The first point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the favors received" (43). This point has become a highly developed part of Ignatian spirituality in modern times, and has led to many more positive practices, generally called examen of consciousness. In twice-daily "examens" one might review the ways God has been present through one to others, and to oneself through others, and how one has responded, and to proceed with one's day with gratitude, more aware of the presence of God in one's life.[2][3][4]

In general, there is a distinction between the particular examen, which aims to change one particular feature or defect in one's behavior, the examen of consciousness, which is a more nuanced reflection, and the general examination of conscience as used before the sacrament of penance.” This last method is called examination of conscience because it is a review of one’s actions from a moral point of view, reflecting upon one’s responsibility and looking at one’s sins and weaknesses in preparation for repentance, in contrast with the examen of consciousness which does not focus on morality even if sins will emerge during the review of the day.[5][6]

Christianity

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Examination of conscience was commanded by the Apostle St. Paul to be performed by the faithful each time they received Holy Communion: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.... For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." (1 Corinthians 11:28–31, KJV). And, as the early Christians received Holy Communion very frequently, examination of conscience became a familiar exercise of their spiritual lives. In many cases, this became a daily practice of the lives of early members of the clergy and those living a monastic life, such as the hermit St. Anthony, who was said to have examined his conscience every night, while St. Basil of Caesarea, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and founders of religious orders generally made the examination of conscience a regular daily exercise of their followers. Lay members of congregations were encouraged to take up the practice as a salutary measure to advance in virtue.[7] St. Bernard had taught: "As a searching investigator of the integrity of your own conduct, submit your life to a daily examination. Consider carefully what progress you have made or what ground you have lost. Strive to know yourself. Place all your faults before your eyes. Come face to face with yourself, as though you were another person, and then weep for your faults."[8]

Ignatius Loyola described a five-point system of examining conscience

St. Ignatius of Loyola described a five-point devotional examination method in his 1524 work Spiritual Exercises. In the first point, followers thank God for the benefits received; in the second, they ask grace to know and correct their faults; in the third, they pass in review the successive hours of the day, noting what faults they have committed in deed, word, thought, or omission; in the fourth, they ask God's pardon; in the fifth, they consider amendment.[7]

The devotional examination of conscience is distinct from that required as a proximate preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation which is intended specifically to identify all sins requiring repentance. Various more elaborate methods might be used in the examination for confession, using the Ten Commandments of God, the Commandments of the Church, the Seven Capital Sins, the duties of one's state of life, the nine ways of partaking in the sin of others.[7]

The Lutheran Small Catechism, on the examination of conscience, implores penitents to reflect on the following prior to receiving the sacrament of confession and absolution:[9]

Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?[9]

Autocritique

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Among secular intellectuals, particularly Marxists, the term autocritique, borrowed from the French, is used. This is particularly applied to a public "methodological attempt to step away from themselves through a process of self-objectification," and was popular in France following the Algerian War.[10] Edgar Morin's questioning of his own motives as a defender of Algeria popularised the term; other well-known examples include Jawaharlal Nehru's anonymous dissection of his own personality and drive in the Modern Review.

References

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from Grokipedia
Examination of conscience is a reflective in , especially foundational in the Catholic tradition, involving a prayerful review of one's thoughts, words, actions, and omissions to identify sins and moral failings in light of Scripture and Church teaching, primarily as preparation for the of . It is also used in other Christian denominations, such as , and has parallels in pre-Christian philosophical self-examination. This reflective exercise encourages believers to examine their lives against the Ten Commandments, the , and other moral guidelines, fostering , a firm purpose of amendment, and deeper spiritual awareness. Its purpose extends beyond to promote ongoing conversion, personal holiness, and a stronger relationship with and others through honest self-assessment. Historically rooted in early Christian , the practice evolved within monastic and patristic traditions for spiritual growth. In the 16th century, St. Ignatius of Loyola formalized the Daily Examen in his , a method of evening reflection that detects God's presence in daily events and discerns areas needing grace. The underscores its necessity, stating that reception of the sacrament of Penance requires preparation via an examination of conscience illuminated by the Word of God. Contemporary guides often tailor examinations for different life stages, such as adults, youth, or families, while maintaining core elements like for enlightenment and for God's . This adaptability ensures the practice remains a vital tool for moral discernment and reconciliation in modern Catholic life.

Definition and Purpose

Definition

Examination of conscience is a methodical review of one's past thoughts, words, actions, and omissions to evaluate their alignment with moral or ethical standards, often involving for shortcomings and a resolution for future improvement. This encourages individuals to prayerfully consider their conduct in light of guiding principles, such as religious commandments or virtues, fostering and ethical growth. While applicable in various ethical contexts, the practice is most prominently developed in the Catholic tradition as a foundational preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Key components of the examination typically include the recollection of specific events from a given period, a assessment of those events against established ethical norms, acknowledgment of any faults or sins identified, and a deliberate intent to amend one's behavior moving forward. For instance, in Christian contexts, this assessment often draws on scriptural standards like the Ten Commandments to gauge conformity with . The term is based on the Latin phrase examinatio conscientiae, commonly used in Catholic theological writings from the medieval period onward, such as in the works of . "Examinatio" derives from examinare, meaning a careful weighing or testing, while conscientia refers to shared or inner , from com- (with) + scire (to know), underscoring the scrutiny of one's moral awareness or sense of right and wrong. This etymology highlights the introspective nature of the practice, focusing on the inner self rather than external judgment. While closely associated with the sacrament of penance in Christian traditions, examination of conscience distinctly serves as personal preparation, emphasizing individual reflection and repentance prior to any communal or through . In Catholicism, it has long been recommended as a daily or periodic discipline to cultivate spiritual clarity.

Purpose and Benefits

The examination of conscience primarily serves to foster by encouraging individuals to reflect prayerfully on their thoughts, words, and deeds in relation to or ethical standards. It enables the identification of sins or ethical lapses, highlighting areas where actions have deviated from principles of . This practice prepares participants for or , facilitating and a firm purpose of to align future behavior with higher ideals. Ultimately, it promotes ongoing growth by supporting the correction of faults and the cultivation of virtues through regular self-assessment. Spiritually, the examination of conscience deepens one's relationship with or ethical ideals by inviting reflection in the light of sacred teachings, such as the Word of . It cultivates through honest acknowledgment of personal shortcomings and for and guidance. By aiding in the avoidance of future faults, it strengthens the will against and fosters progress in the life of the Spirit. Psychologically, structured self-reflection through examination of conscience enhances emotional regulation by promoting awareness of inner states and behavioral patterns. It can reduce guilt by providing a framework for processing moral discrepancies, leading to greater peace of mind. The practice supports habit formation for virtues, such as through daily routines that build self-control and resilience. A 2022 study in Frontiers in Psychology on a two-week examination of conscience program demonstrated improved metacognitive self-regulation, with participants showing heightened awareness of memory limitations (p=0.047 for vividness; p=0.027 for coherence), independent of religious context.

Historical Development

Pre-Christian Origins

The practice of examination of conscience traces its origins to pre-Christian philosophical traditions in , where self-scrutiny served as a tool for ethical and . In the Pythagorean tradition of the 6th century BCE, adherents conducted an evening review of their daily actions to evaluate adherence to communal ethical rules and foster personal virtue. This discipline, described by the Neoplatonist in his Life of Pythagoras (VP 164), involved recalling everything said, heard, or done during the day, a custom also noted by as a Pythagorean method for training memory and . The Golden Verses of Pythagoras, a text attributed to the school and likely composed between the 4th century BCE and 4th century CE, formalized this nightly ritual, instructing practitioners to review their deeds before sleep by asking: "What have I done wrong? What have I done right? What have I left undone?" This process aimed at self-reprimand for faults and rejoicing in virtues, promoting continuous moral refinement. Stoic philosophers in the Hellenistic and Roman periods built upon and refined these ideas, emphasizing rational self-assessment as central to living in accordance with nature. (c. 50–135 CE) recommended a nightly examination of one's thoughts and deeds, measuring them against the criterion of reason to identify errors and avoid repetition, as outlined in his Discourses (3.10). Similarly, Seneca (c. 4 BCE–65 CE) prescribed a daily method in On Anger (3.36), where individuals act as their own judge, prosecutor, and defender, interrogating their conduct to curb passions like and ensure ethical consistency. Platonic philosophy contributed foundational concepts of the soul's , particularly in The Republic (c. 375 BCE), where self-examination is implied as essential for harmonizing the soul's rational, spirited, and appetitive parts to achieve and inner order. This emphasis aligned with the broader Hellenistic cultural imperative of self-knowledge, embodied in the Delphic maxim "" (γνῶθι σαυτόν), inscribed at the Temple of Apollo and interpreted by as a call to understand one's limitations and divine origins through philosophical inquiry. These ancient practices of daily self-scrutiny provided a philosophical that influenced early Christian monastics amid Mediterranean cultural exchanges.

Early Christian Adoption and Evolution

The practice of examination of conscience found its biblical foundations in the , particularly in St. Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:28–31, where he urges believers to "examine themselves" before participating in the to avoid judgment, emphasizing self-scrutiny as essential for discerning one's spiritual state. This call to personal reflection echoes themes, such as :23–24, where the psalmist invites to "search" the heart and reveal hidden faults, framing self-examination as a response to divine omniscience. In the early Christian era, the adapted these scriptural principles into structured personal practices. St. Anthony the Great (c. 251–356), the founder of , routinely conducted a nightly review of his to assess his thoughts and actions against Christian virtues, setting a model for ascetic self-accountability. St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) emphasized self-examination in his homilies, teaching that openly condemning one's sins aids and moral growth. Similarly, St. Basil the Great (c. 330–379) and St. (354–430) recommended daily examinations for monks, integrating the practice into communal rules to foster moral vigilance and spiritual growth within religious communities. During the medieval period, examination of conscience evolved further within monastic traditions. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), a key figure in the Cistercian order, incorporated regular self-examination into the order's disciplinary framework, emphasizing it as a tool for and preparation for the sacraments amid the rigors of cloistered life. By the 13th century, this practice had become standardized across major religious orders, such as the and , as a core element of daily spiritual discipline. A significant evolution occurred with the Fourth Lateran Council of , which mandated annual for all Christians, prompting a broader shift from primarily monastic observance to lay participation; this required penitents to perform thorough examinations of as preparation for sacramental absolution, democratizing the practice beyond religious elites.

Christian Practices

Catholic Examination of Conscience

In the Catholic tradition, the examination of serves as a structured to foster , , and preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, helping individuals discern their moral failings in light of faith and scripture. This practice emphasizes reflective to identify sins and resolve to amend one's life, often integrated into daily routines or seasonal observances to deepen union with . A prominent method is the Ignatian Examen, developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century as part of his . This technique outlines five key steps: first, for insight to recognize God's presence and guidance; second, for the day's blessings; third, a review of the day's events to note moments of or desolation; fourth, for shortcomings and sins; and fifth, a resolution to improve in the coming day. The Examen includes two forms: the general examen, which provides an overall daily reflection on one's life, and the particular examen, which targets specific faults or virtues for focused correction. Traditional Catholic guides for examination often structure reflection around foundational moral frameworks, such as the Ten Commandments to assess violations in thought, word, and deed; the Seven Deadly Sins to probe root vices like pride or envy; the Beatitudes to evaluate alignment with Christ's teachings on humility and mercy; or the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy to examine failures in charity toward others. These approaches appear in 20th-century resources like the Baltimore Catechism, which recommends methodical self-review based on commandments and precepts to prepare for confession. Such guides prioritize conceptual sins over exhaustive lists, using scripture to illuminate personal failings. Papal teachings have reinforced the practice's importance, particularly for . In his 1908 apostolic exhortation Haerent Animo, urged priests to conduct a daily examination of conscience, drawing on St. John Chrysostom and St. Bernard to stress nightly review of intentions, repentance for faults, and resolve for amendment as essential for sanctity. This daily discipline extends to the laity and is especially integrated with penitential seasons like Advent and , as well as the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, where examinations aid preparation for Christ's coming or Passion through heightened reflection on mercy, conversion, hope, and relationships with , others, and creation. Practically, the examination often follows an evening prayer structure, beginning with invocation of the , proceeding through review and , and concluding with the , typically lasting 10-15 minutes before sleep. For sacramental preparation, Catholics use dedicated booklets that outline sins by category—such as those against the commandments or precepts—facilitating a thorough yet concise , as seen in resources from organizations like the Knights of Columbus.

Protestant Approaches

In the Lutheran tradition, examination of conscience is integrated into the practice of through the framework of Martin Luther's Small Catechism (1529), which instructs believers to reflect on their sins by considering their station in life according to the Ten Commandments. This self-examination precedes either private to a or the general proclaimed in worship, emphasizing a personal review of failings in relation to God's law to foster and receive . The process uses the Commandments as a mirror for identifying specific transgressions, such as disobedience in familial roles or harm to neighbors, without requiring elaborate rituals. Reformed and Anglican approaches prioritize personal assurance of pardon through ongoing self-judgment aligned with Scripture, as articulated in John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536), where repentance involves a serious examination of the conscience by comparing one's imperfections to God's perfection. Calvin describes this as a continual turning from sin to God, guided by biblical commands rather than external mediators, to cultivate reverence and obedience. In Anglicanism, the Book of Common Prayer (1549 onward) supports similar reflection through daily general confessions and optional private rites, encouraging self-examination via the Ten Commandments to prepare for absolution declared by a minister as God's representative. Modern Protestant practices often incorporate examination of conscience into daily devotions, particularly in and contexts, where it manifests as personal journaling, prayerful reflection, or structured questions without formal liturgical guides. In , John Wesley's 22 self-examination questions (developed in the and still used today) prompt believers to assess attitudes, honesty, and spiritual habits during routine prayer times, promoting growth in faith through direct accountability to God. typically embed this in individual study and evening prayers, focusing on confessing sins revealed by Scripture to maintain a clear and assurance of . A defining feature of Protestant approaches is the emphasis on direct to , bypassing priestly in favor of the believer's immediate access to divine forgiveness through Christ, as affirmed in confessional standards like the Second Helvetic Confession (1566). This contrasts with more sacramental preparations, centering instead on Scripture as the primary tool for personal conviction and renewal.

Secular and Philosophical Dimensions

Autocritique in Modern Secular Thought

Autocritique, derived from the French term meaning "," refers to a rigorous form of or self-examination aimed at confronting personal complicity in ideological, political, or social shortcomings. This practice emerged prominently in 20th-century secular thought, particularly among leftist s, as a means to dismantle and align individual actions with broader ethical or revolutionary goals without invoking religious . Unlike private , autocritique often unfolds in communal or published settings, emphasizing transparency and collective accountability. A key example is French philosopher Edgar Morin's Autocritique (1959), in which he publicly dissected his decade-long affiliation with the French Communist Party and the intellectual left's inadequate response to the Algerian War (1954–1962). Morin critiqued his own earlier dogmatism and the broader failure of progressives to oppose colonial violence, using the work to advocate for a more reflexive, anti-totalitarian stance in postwar European thought. Similarly, Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialism in Being and Nothingness (1943) highlighted "bad faith" (mauvaise foi) as a pervasive self-deception that evades human freedom and responsibility, implicitly calling for ongoing autocritique to achieve authentic existence amid political turmoil like World War II occupation. Sartre's framework influenced secular intellectuals to view self-examination as essential for ethical engagement in a godless world. In Marxist applications, autocritique became institutionalized through practices like communist sessions, notably the Maoist "struggle sessions" during China's (1966–1976). These public rituals required individuals to confess ideological deviations and personal failings before peers, ostensibly to purify revolutionary commitment and resolve internal contradictions, as outlined in Mao Zedong's writings on the method as a "Marxist-Leninist weapon." An earlier non-Chinese instance appears in Jawaharlal Nehru's An Autobiography (), where he incorporated anonymous self-review sections to scrutinize his privileged upbringing, ideological shifts, and errors in the Indian nationalist struggle, blending personal reflection with political critique. Within , autocritique serves to enforce in activist circles and , enabling participants to challenge complicity in systemic injustices—such as or —without reliance on . This approach has sustained in leftist movements, where it functions as a tool for ideological renewal and , distinct from therapeutic applications by prioritizing public political transformation.

Influences from Ancient Non-Christian Philosophy

The concept of examination of conscience in ancient non-Christian philosophy traces its roots to Socratic practices, where internal served as a form of self-scrutiny akin to the elenchus method, portraying the mind as split between acting and observing parts to achieve rational clarity. This Socratic emphasized an inner witness that testifies to one's thoughts without immediate moral judgment, laying groundwork for later philosophical self-assessment focused on reason rather than external . Cicero, in his Roman adaptation of Stoic ethics in On Duties (44 BCE), further developed these ideas by framing conscience as a positive internal force guiding moral reflection and propriety in action. Drawing from Panaetius, Cicero described self-examination as aligning personal conduct with universal through rational deliberation, promoting and inner tranquility as hallmarks of . This approach highlighted not as a punitive voice but as a tool for ethical consistency, influencing subsequent Roman thought on duty without invoking divine oversight. The Stoic tradition, particularly in ' Meditations (c. 170–180 CE), embodied examination of conscience through personal nightly reviews of one's actions, aimed at fostering rational self-mastery and alignment with nature. recorded these reflections as private dialogues to evaluate impressions, impulses, and moral choices, viewing them as essential for overcoming passions and achieving . Seneca, another key Stoic, reinforced this with joyful self-praise for virtuous conduct, distinguishing it from mere guilt by emphasizing proactive ethical improvement. These ancient practices profoundly shaped later philosophical concepts of , as seen in Enlightenment thinker Michel de Montaigne's Essays (1580), where he adapted Stoic self-examination into introspective essays on personal opinion and cultural influences on . Montaigne, inspired by , treated as an internal veneration of habitual beliefs rather than innate truths, promoting skeptical self-scrutiny for ethical living. The notes that such antiquity-derived interpretations vary widely, linking them to modern through a focus on rational over any judgment. This evolution underscores a core distinction: ancient non-Christian examination prioritizes self-mastery via reason, serving as a philosophical tool for personal integrity independent of religious frameworks.

Modern and Interfaith Applications

Psychological and Therapeutic Uses

In contemporary , the practice of examination of conscience, often secularized as daily reflective review, has been integrated into therapeutic frameworks such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) where it functions as a structured journaling tool to identify and reframe maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. This adaptation emphasizes non-judgmental self-observation to foster behavioral change, aligning with CBT's focus on without invoking religious moral frameworks. Similarly, the structure of the examen—reviewing daily events, noting emotions, and planning responses—echoes elements of , promoting present-moment awareness and emotional regulation in secular settings like substance use recovery programs. Research on these secular applications highlights benefits for . A 2023 pilot study involving a 9-week secularized examen intervention with university staff demonstrated significant reductions in perceived stress levels (from a mean of 15.2 to 10.0 on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, p < .01, Cohen's d = 1.07), suggesting improved emotional through enhanced . In a 2024 randomized comparing the secular examen to mindfulness-based relapse prevention in a treatment program (N=78), both practices led to notable decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms over 60 days, with the examen specifically reducing cravings (mean decrease = 0.72, p = 0.029). These findings indicate that evening reflective practices may support better by increasing metacognitive awareness of daily actions and their emotional impacts. Additionally, such reflections parallel positive 's self-compassion exercises, as developed by , by encouraging acknowledgment of personal shortcomings in a kind, non-critical manner to build emotional resilience. Secular adaptations of the examen have proliferated through digital tools and resources tailored for habit tracking and maintenance. For instance, apps like Reimagining the Examen offer customizable daily prompts for reflection based on , guiding users to review events, express gratitude, and set intentions, which can be adapted for broader personal use. Workbooks and programs in therapeutic settings, such as those in secular substance recovery, adapt the practice for anxiety reduction by focusing on fault acknowledgment as a pathway to self-forgiveness and reduced rumination. Unlike its traditional spiritual applications, which emphasize alignment with moral or divine standards, psychological uses prioritize empirically measurable outcomes such as resilience building and stress mitigation, evaluating progress through validated scales rather than absolute ethical judgments. This shift allows the practice to serve diverse populations, enhancing overall psychological flexibility without presupposing religious beliefs.

Parallels in Other Religious Traditions

In the Islamic tradition, particularly within , muhasaba (self-reckoning) refers to the regular introspection and evaluation of one's daily actions against the principles of , the Islamic legal and ethical framework, often performed in the evening to assess moral conduct and spiritual progress. This practice is rooted in a well-known saying attributed to the second caliph, : "Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account, and weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you," emphasizing proactive self-scrutiny in preparation for . Buddhist practices parallel this through vipassana (insight) meditation, which cultivates clear awareness of one's mental and physical actions, revealing patterns of ethical behavior and attachment. In the Theravada tradition, practitioners often engage in reflection on the Five Precepts—commitments to abstain from harming living beings, taking what is not given, , false speech, and intoxicants—to review the day's adherence and reinforce moral discipline as a foundation for enlightenment. Within Jewish thought, particularly in the Mussar movement and broadly across traditions including Hasidism, cheshbon ha-nefesh (accounting of the soul) involves a methodical ethical self-examination, where individuals journal their daily behaviors to align with values and foster (repentance and return to ). This practice, drawing from medieval works like those of Bahya ibn Pakuda and foundational to later ethical traditions such as Mussar, promotes ongoing moral refinement through honest reckoning of virtues and shortcomings. Hinduism's svadhyaya (self-study), a key niyama in Vedanta philosophy, entails introspective study of sacred texts like the to contemplate one's karma (the law of cause and effect from actions) and (righteous duty aligned with cosmic order), aiming for without a confessional structure akin to Christian rites. This reflective process integrates scriptural analysis with personal ethical evaluation to purify the mind and advance toward (liberation).

References

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