Synderesis
Encyclopedia
Synderesis, in scholastic
moral philosophy, is the natural capacity or disposition (habitus) of the practical reason
to apprehend intuitively the universal first principles
of human action.
Reason
is a single faculty, but is called differently according to the end that it assigns to its search for truth
; when its goal is the mere consideration (contemplation) of truth, it is called speculative reason; when it considers truth in view of action (praxis), it is called practical reason. In both cases reason uses demonstration (syllogism
) as its tool; it proceeds from the understanding of previously known truths (premise
s) to the statement of a proposition (conclusion) whose truth follows necessarily from the premises.
How do we know that those premises (and consequently their conclusion) are true? Because they are themselves conclusions of previous demonstrations. Although we could take back this process of demonstration of the truth of premises as far as we want, a regression ad infinitum
would deprive the demonstrative chain of certitude. Consequently it is necessary that the point of departure of human reasoning be some immediately knowable, i.e. self-evident, proposition
s called the first principles, whose truth is not, indeed cannot be grasped through demonstration, but only by intuition
(noûs).
The habit or disposition that allows the speculative reason to apprehend intuitively the principles that preside over its discursive reasoning is called "understanding of principles" (intellectus principiorum). The principle of "non contradiction", of "identity" and of "excluded middle
", all of which are ultimately based on the notion of "being
", which is the first that our reason apprehends absolutely, are all examples of those principles.
Similarly, the capacity or disposition that allows the practical reason to apprehend intuitively the principles or laws that preside over its discursive reasoning regarding human action is called synderesis. Just as "being" is the first notion apprehended absolutely, so also "good" is the first thing that is apprehended by the practical reason, since everything that acts does so for an end which possesses the quality of goodness. That is why the first principle or law of the practical reason is "good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided". Also the precepts of natural law can be considered object of synderesis insofar as all the things towards which the human being has a natural inclination are naturally apprehended by the intellect as good and therefore as objects to be pursued, and their opposites as evils to be avoided.
Synderesis is the capacity not only to apprehend the first principles, but also to judge every step of the practical discourse in the light of those principles. But, as an intellectual disposition concerned with knowledge of the first principles of action, synderesis provides only the universal premise of the practical syllogism. Every human action, however, is singular, contingent and takes place in particular circumstances. To complete the practical discourse and reach a conclusion regarding what has to be done hic et nunc and what means are to be used, other capacities are necessary besides synderesis, and to actually effect the action other faculties are required besides reason. That is why the whole picture concerning human action includes powers, dispositions and acts such as conscience, desire, will, etc., each one of which requires an independent article in this encyclopedia.
The origin of the notion of synderesis as presented here can be traced, on the one hand, to the Commentary on Ezechiel by Saint Jerome
(A.D.347-419), where syntéresin (συντήρησιν) is mentioned among the powers of the soul
and is described as the spark of conscience (scintilla conscientiae) and, on the other, to the interpretation of Jerome's text given, in the 13th Century, by Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas
in the light of Aristotelian psychology and ethics
. The word "synderesis" is by most scholars reckoned to be a corruption of the Greek word syneidêsis (συνείδησις), the corruption appearing in the medieval manuscripts of Jerome's Commentary.
An alternative interpretation was proposed by Bonaventure
, who considered synderesis as the natural inclination of the will
towards moral good.
Scholasticism
Scholasticism is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100–1500, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending orthodoxy in an increasingly pluralistic context...
moral philosophy, is the natural capacity or disposition (habitus) of the practical reason
Practical reason
In philosophy, practical reason is the use of reason to decide how to act. This contrasts with theoretical reason , which is the use of reason to decide what to believe. For example: agents use practical reason to decide whether to build a telescope, but theoretical reason to decide which of two...
to apprehend intuitively the universal first principles
First principles
In philosophy, a first principle is a basic, foundational proposition or assumption that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption. In mathematics, first principles are referred to as axioms or postulates...
of human action.
Reason
Reason
Reason is a term that refers to the capacity human beings have to make sense of things, to establish and verify facts, and to change or justify practices, institutions, and beliefs. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, language, ...
is a single faculty, but is called differently according to the end that it assigns to its search for truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
; when its goal is the mere consideration (contemplation) of truth, it is called speculative reason; when it considers truth in view of action (praxis), it is called practical reason. In both cases reason uses demonstration (syllogism
Syllogism
A syllogism is a kind of logical argument in which one proposition is inferred from two or more others of a certain form...
) as its tool; it proceeds from the understanding of previously known truths (premise
Premise
Premise can refer to:* Premise, a claim that is a reason for, or an objection against, some other claim as part of an argument...
s) to the statement of a proposition (conclusion) whose truth follows necessarily from the premises.
How do we know that those premises (and consequently their conclusion) are true? Because they are themselves conclusions of previous demonstrations. Although we could take back this process of demonstration of the truth of premises as far as we want, a regression ad infinitum
Infinite regress
An infinite regress in a series of propositions arises if the truth of proposition P1 requires the support of proposition P2, the truth of proposition P2 requires the support of proposition P3, .....
would deprive the demonstrative chain of certitude. Consequently it is necessary that the point of departure of human reasoning be some immediately knowable, i.e. self-evident, proposition
Proposition
In logic and philosophy, the term proposition refers to either the "content" or "meaning" of a meaningful declarative sentence or the pattern of symbols, marks, or sounds that make up a meaningful declarative sentence...
s called the first principles, whose truth is not, indeed cannot be grasped through demonstration, but only by intuition
Intuition (knowledge)
Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without inference or the use of reason. "The word 'intuition' comes from the Latin word 'intueri', which is often roughly translated as meaning 'to look inside'’ or 'to contemplate'." Intuition provides us with beliefs that we cannot necessarily justify...
(noûs).
The habit or disposition that allows the speculative reason to apprehend intuitively the principles that preside over its discursive reasoning is called "understanding of principles" (intellectus principiorum). The principle of "non contradiction", of "identity" and of "excluded middle
Law of excluded middle
In logic, the law of excluded middle is the third of the so-called three classic laws of thought. It states that for any proposition, either that proposition is true, or its negation is....
", all of which are ultimately based on the notion of "being
Being
Being , is an English word used for conceptualizing subjective and objective aspects of reality, including those fundamental to the self —related to and somewhat interchangeable with terms like "existence" and "living".In its objective usage —as in "a being," or "[a] human being" —it...
", which is the first that our reason apprehends absolutely, are all examples of those principles.
Similarly, the capacity or disposition that allows the practical reason to apprehend intuitively the principles or laws that preside over its discursive reasoning regarding human action is called synderesis. Just as "being" is the first notion apprehended absolutely, so also "good" is the first thing that is apprehended by the practical reason, since everything that acts does so for an end which possesses the quality of goodness. That is why the first principle or law of the practical reason is "good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided". Also the precepts of natural law can be considered object of synderesis insofar as all the things towards which the human being has a natural inclination are naturally apprehended by the intellect as good and therefore as objects to be pursued, and their opposites as evils to be avoided.
Synderesis is the capacity not only to apprehend the first principles, but also to judge every step of the practical discourse in the light of those principles. But, as an intellectual disposition concerned with knowledge of the first principles of action, synderesis provides only the universal premise of the practical syllogism. Every human action, however, is singular, contingent and takes place in particular circumstances. To complete the practical discourse and reach a conclusion regarding what has to be done hic et nunc and what means are to be used, other capacities are necessary besides synderesis, and to actually effect the action other faculties are required besides reason. That is why the whole picture concerning human action includes powers, dispositions and acts such as conscience, desire, will, etc., each one of which requires an independent article in this encyclopedia.
The origin of the notion of synderesis as presented here can be traced, on the one hand, to the Commentary on Ezechiel by Saint Jerome
Saint Jerome
Saint Jerome is a Christian church father, best known for translating the Bible into Latin.Saint Jerome may also refer to:*Jerome of Pavia , Bishop of Pavia...
(A.D.347-419), where syntéresin (συντήρησιν) is mentioned among the powers of the soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
and is described as the spark of conscience (scintilla conscientiae) and, on the other, to the interpretation of Jerome's text given, in the 13th Century, by Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
in the light of Aristotelian psychology and ethics
Aristotelianism
Aristotelianism is a tradition of philosophy that takes its defining inspiration from the work of Aristotle. The works of Aristotle were initially defended by the members of the Peripatetic school, and, later on, by the Neoplatonists, who produced many commentaries on Aristotle's writings...
. The word "synderesis" is by most scholars reckoned to be a corruption of the Greek word syneidêsis (συνείδησις), the corruption appearing in the medieval manuscripts of Jerome's Commentary.
An alternative interpretation was proposed by Bonaventure
Bonaventure
Saint Bonaventure, O.F.M., , born John of Fidanza , was an Italian medieval scholastic theologian and philosopher. The seventh Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, he was also a Cardinal Bishop of Albano. He was canonized on 14 April 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV and declared a Doctor of the...
, who considered synderesis as the natural inclination of the will
Will (philosophy)
Will, in philosophical discussions, consonant with a common English usage, refers to a property of the mind, and an attribute of acts intentionally performed. Actions made according to a person's will are called "willing" or "voluntary" and sometimes pejoratively "willful"...
towards moral good.
External links
- Synderesis entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- Medieval Theories of Conscience entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.