Vincible ignorance

Vincible ignorance

Vincible ignorance is, in Catholic ethics, ignorance in a moral or doctrinal matter that could have been removed by diligence reasonable to the circumstances. It contrasts with invincible ignorance, which can not be removed at all, or only by supererogatory efforts (eg. exceptionally remote location).

While invincible ignorance prevents a sinful action from being a sin, vincible ignorance at most mitigates it. It may even aggravate guilt. The guilt of an act performed or omitted in vincible ignorance is not to be measured by the intrinsic malice of the thing done or omitted so much as by the degree of negligence discernible in the act.

Ignorance stemming from making little or no effort is termed "crass" or "supine"; it removes little or no guilt. Deliberately fostered ignorance is "affected" or "studied"; it can increase guilt.

Ignorance may be
* 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.

Vincible ignorance can also refer to the intentional refusal to understand or consider a particular point of doctrine. (eg. "The doctrine of Invincible Ignorance is just wrong, no matter what you say.")

ee also

*Invincible error

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07648a.htm "Catholic Encyclopedia" "Ignorance"]
* [http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9907chap.asp "Ignorance - Invincible and Vincible"]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Vincible ignorance — Vincible Vin ci*ble, a. [L. vincibilis, fr. vincere to vanquish, conquer: cf. F. vincible. See {Victor}.] Capable of being overcome or subdued; conquerable. He, not vincible in spirit . . . drew his sword. Hayward. Vincible by human aid. Paley.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vincible ignorance —  Преодолимое неведение …   Вестминстерский словарь теологических терминов

  • Ignorance — • Lack of knowledge about a thing in a being capable of knowing Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Ignorance     Ignorance     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Vincible — Vin ci*ble, a. [L. vincibilis, fr. vincere to vanquish, conquer: cf. F. vincible. See {Victor}.] Capable of being overcome or subdued; conquerable. He, not vincible in spirit . . . drew his sword. Hayward. Vincible by human aid. Paley. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ignorance (disambiguation) — Ignorance is a state of being uninformed. Ignorance may also refer to: In social sciences: Pluralistic ignorance, a concept in social psychology Rational ignorance, a concept in epistemology Vincible ignorance, a moral or doctrinal matter in… …   Wikipedia

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  • ignorance — [ iɲɔrɑ̃s ] n. f. • 1120; lat. ignorantia 1 ♦ État d une personne qui ignore; le fait de ne pas connaître qqch. Laisser, tenir, entretenir qqn dans l ignorance (de qqch.). Être dans l ignorance (de qqch.). « L homme sans Dieu est dans l ignorance …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • vincible — ⇒VINCIBLE, adj. Rare. Qui peut être vaincu. Anton. invincible. La lutte directe que nous pouvons mener contre l émotion sur le plan strictement musculaire garde quelque chose de dérisoire: l agitation motrice, qui est théoriquement vincible par… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • vincible — (entrée créée par le supplément) (vin si bl ) adj. Se dit, parmi les casuistes, d une ignorance qui peut être vaincue. •   Une chose qu on n oserait pas entreprendre de soutenir, mais que vous [jésuites] jugiez néanmoins être nécessaire, afin que …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • ignorance —    This word (from the Latin ignorare, meaning to be unaware ) refers to a lack of knowledge. In regard to moral responsibility, ignorance is vincible if a person could find out what is right or wrong, but does not, and so is responsible for a… …   Glossary of theological terms

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