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. A similar doctrine is taught in
Lutheran churches, where penitents who wish to receive Holy Absolution are also asked to use the Ten Commandments as a guide. The process is very similar to the Islamic practice of Muhasaba, or self-reflection.