Vincible ignorance is, in Catholic moral theology, ignorance that a person could remove by applying reasonable diligence in the given set of circumstances. It contrasts with invincible ignorance, which a person is either entirely incapable of removing, or could only do so by supererogatory efforts (i.e., efforts above and beyond normal duty).[1]
It is culpable to remain willfully ignorant of matters that one is obligated to know.[2] While invincible ignorance eliminates culpability, vincible ignorance at most mitigates it, and may even aggravate guilt. The guilt of an action performed in vincible ignorance ought to be measured by the degree of diligence or negligence shown in performing the act.[3] An individual is morally responsible for their ignorance and for the acts resulting from it.[2] If some insufficient diligence was shown in dispelling ignorance, it is termed merely vincible; it may diminish culpability to the point of rendering a sin venial. When little or no effort is made to remove ignorance, the ignorance is termed crass or supine; it removes little or no guilt. Deliberately fostered ignorance is affected or studied; it can increase guilt.[1]
Of law, when one is unaware of the existence of the law itself, or at least that a particular case is comprised under its provisions.
Of fact, when not the relation of something to the law but the thing itself or some circumstance is unknown.
Of penalty, when a person is not cognizant that a sanction has been attached to a particular crime. This is especially to be considered when there is question of more serious punishment.
Doctrine of invincible ignoranceedit
"Invincible ignorance excuses from all culpability. An action committed in ignorance of the law prohibiting it, or of the facts of the case, is not a voluntary act". On the other hand, it is culpable to remain willfully ignorant of matters that one is obligated to know (vincible ignorance). In this case the individual is morally responsible for their ignorance, and for the acts resulting from it. The guilt associated with an offense committed in ignorance is less than it would have been if the act were committed in full knowledge, because in that case the offense is less voluntary.[2]
Protestant viewedit
Protestants diverged from Catholic doctrine in this area during the Reformation. Martin Luther believed that invincible ignorance was only a valid excuse for offenses against human law. In his view, humans are ignorant of divine law because of original sin, for which all bear guilt.[2]John Calvin agreed that ignorance of God's law is always vincible.[2]
^ abcdeGeorge Hayward Joyce, "INVINCIBLE IGNORANCE", in James Hastings, John A. Selbie, and Louis H. Gray (eds.), Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics (Edinburgh; New York: T. & T. Clark; Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1908–1926), p. 403.
Pius IX, Quanto Conficiamur Moerore (On Promotion Of False Doctrines), 10 August 1863
Mortimer, R G (1947). "V: CONSCIENCE". The Elements of Moral Theology. Adam & Charles Black.
March 15, 2024
vincible, invincible, ignorance, invincible, ignorance, redirects, here, fallacy, invincible, ignorance, fallacy, vincible, ignorance, catholic, moral, theology, ignorance, that, person, could, remove, applying, reasonable, diligence, given, circumstances, con. Invincible ignorance redirects here For the fallacy see Invincible ignorance fallacy Vincible ignorance is in Catholic moral theology ignorance that a person could remove by applying reasonable diligence in the given set of circumstances It contrasts with invincible ignorance which a person is either entirely incapable of removing or could only do so by supererogatory efforts i e efforts above and beyond normal duty 1 Contents 1 Doctrine of vincible ignorance 2 Doctrine of invincible ignorance 3 Protestant view 4 See also 5 References 6 Further readingDoctrine of vincible ignorance editIt is culpable to remain willfully ignorant of matters that one is obligated to know 2 While invincible ignorance eliminates culpability vincible ignorance at most mitigates it and may even aggravate guilt The guilt of an action performed in vincible ignorance ought to be measured by the degree of diligence or negligence shown in performing the act 3 An individual is morally responsible for their ignorance and for the acts resulting from it 2 If some insufficient diligence was shown in dispelling ignorance it is termed merely vincible it may diminish culpability to the point of rendering a sin venial When little or no effort is made to remove ignorance the ignorance is termed crass or supine it removes little or no guilt Deliberately fostered ignorance is affected or studied it can increase guilt 1 Ignorance may be 3 Of law when one is unaware of the existence of the law itself or at least that a particular case is comprised under its provisions Of fact when not the relation of something to the law but the thing itself or some circumstance is unknown Of penalty when a person is not cognizant that a sanction has been attached to a particular crime This is especially to be considered when there is question of more serious punishment Doctrine of invincible ignorance edit Invincible ignorance excuses from all culpability An action committed in ignorance of the law prohibiting it or of the facts of the case is not a voluntary act On the other hand it is culpable to remain willfully ignorant of matters that one is obligated to know vincible ignorance In this case the individual is morally responsible for their ignorance and for the acts resulting from it The guilt associated with an offense committed in ignorance is less than it would have been if the act were committed in full knowledge because in that case the offense is less voluntary 2 Protestant view editProtestants diverged from Catholic doctrine in this area during the Reformation Martin Luther believed that invincible ignorance was only a valid excuse for offenses against human law In his view humans are ignorant of divine law because of original sin for which all bear guilt 2 John Calvin agreed that ignorance of God s law is always vincible 2 See also editFate of the unlearned Future probation Baptism of desire Willful blindness Virtuous paganReferences edit a b Ignorance Invincible and Vincible This Rock July August 1999 Archived from the original on 2011 06 28 a b c d e George Hayward Joyce INVINCIBLE IGNORANCE in James Hastings John A Selbie and Louis H Gray eds Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics Edinburgh New York T amp T Clark Charles Scribner s Sons 1908 1926 p 403 a b Ignorance Catholic Encyclopedia Further reading editPius IX Quanto Conficiamur Moerore On Promotion Of False Doctrines 10 August 1863 Mortimer R G 1947 V CONSCIENCE The Elements of Moral Theology Adam amp Charles Black Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vincible and invincible ignorance amp oldid 1176525604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
