Problematyka wolności sumienia w świetle współczesnych wyzwań

In the first section the article presents the three main dimensions of conscience.There is no doubt that the primary dimension is the dimension ofindividual conscience. It is the “guardian of the integrity of” moral person(E. Fromm). It is so closely associated with the self-consciousness of peoplethat acting against the judgment of conscience, a man acts against himself.Conscience is also “a window on what is common” (Joseph Ratzinger), tomoral truth, what is the revelation of the objective dimension of conscience.Finally, it is important religious dimension. It manifests itself in definingconscience as the voice of God.In the second section the author analyzes the key element of the contemporarydispute about conscience that is his relationship to authority, boththe state and the church. There is no doubt that state law should respect thefreedom of conscience of citizens and, in situations of serious conflicts –provide the opportunity to invoke the conscience clause. In contrast to thepluralistic society ecclesial community has the right to have moral convictionsstemming form faith, which are crucial to belong to the individualreligious community. This does not invalidate in any way the importance ofconscience, which remains the final court (although not the highest standard,which is God) of moral action.