Human Acts: Morality and Guidance

Questions and Answers

What is the source of all human acts according to the content?

Man's free rational nature (correct)

Social influences

Human emotions

Instincts and reflexes

Which of the following is classified as an elicted act?

Studying

Walking deliberately

The selection of precise means (correct)

Efforts to remember

How are commanded acts perfected?

By mental and bodily faculties (correct)

Solely through reason

Independent of the will

Through external influences

What defines the morality of human acts?

Their agreement or disagreement with reason Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'indifferent' acts?

Acts that may be good or evil depending on circumstances Signup and view all the answers

Which elicted act represents the first tendency of the will?

Wish Signup and view all the answers

What type of act does 'studying' represent?

Mixed act Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the act of 'fruition' in the context of human acts?

The enjoyment of a thing willed and done Signup and view all the answers

What is the first condition that an agent must satisfy to be responsible for the evil effect of a cause directly willed?

The agent must be able to foresee the evil effect in a general way. Signup and view all the answers

According to the principle of double effect, when should the evil effect occur in relation to the good effect?

The evil effect must not precede the good effect. Signup and view all the answers

What type of ignorance is defined as the absence of intellectual knowledge in man?

Positive Ignorance Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of ignorance can be dispelled with ordinary diligence?

Vincible Ignorance Signup and view all the answers

What are the constituent elements that are essential in classifying Human Acts?

Free will, knowledge, and consequence Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes invincible ignorance from vincible ignorance?

Invincible ignorance cannot be dispelled by ordinary diligence. Signup and view all the answers

What is always attributed to the author of a Human Act?

The act itself, as it always affects the doer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following modifiers affects the essential qualities of human acts?

Concupiscence Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect determines the morality of Human Acts?

The object, end, and circumstances of the act Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for ignorance regarding the existence of a duty or law?

Ignorance of Law Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ignorance refers to a lack of knowledge about the nature or circumstances of an act?

Ignorance of Fact Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate end of human actions as stated in the course objectives?

A greater good and purpose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a norm by which Human Acts are directed to their last end?

Impressions of historical actions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of ethics, what does the term 'practical science' refer to?

The application of moral principles to real-life situations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the Law in relation to Human Acts?

A norm that dictates acceptable behavior in society Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the modifiers of Human Acts?

They can change the end goals of the actions Signup and view all the answers

What are the three essential constituents for an act to be classified as a human act?

Knowledge, Freedom, Voluntariness Signup and view all the answers

Which type of voluntariness is present when an agent fully knows and intends the act?

Perfect Voluntariness Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a simple voluntariness from a conditional voluntariness?

Conditional voluntariness involves a wish to do something else. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a direct voluntariness in a human act?

It involves an act willed in itself. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of voluntariness pertains to actions that result from a previously made intention?

Virtual Voluntariness Signup and view all the answers

What does positive voluntariness refer to in the context of human acts?

An act performed willingly and with intention. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of voluntariness, what does the term 'habitual' imply?

The act is done similarly to previous unrevoked intentions. Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used for the willful omission of an action?

Negative Voluntariness Signup and view all the answers

What type of ignorance precedes the consent of the will?

Antecedent ignorance Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ignorance destroys the voluntariness of an act?

Invincible ignorance Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of consequent concupiscence?

It fosters and is stirred up by the will. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about fear as an ethical principle is true?

Actions may be performed with or from fear. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines violence in an ethical context?

External force compelling an act against one's will. Signup and view all the answers

What describes antecedent concupiscence?

It lessens the voluntariness but does not destroy it. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ignorance accompanies an act that would have been performed regardless of its existence?

Concomitant ignorance Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly classifies vincible ignorance?

It lessens, but does not destroy, voluntariness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Objectives

Understand and define Human Acts, including classification, elements, and modifiers.
Recognize that Human Acts are always performed for an end, distinguishing between General and Ultimate Ends.
Identify norms and rules of actions that guide Human Acts toward their final end (Law and Conscience).
Analyze the morality of Human Acts based on their object, end, and circumstances.
Accept that Human Acts affect the doer and are attributed to the author.

Course Outline

I. Human Acts:
- Definition and classification, considering voluntary nature and modifiers.
II. The Ends of Human Acts:
- Investigate General Ends and the Ultimate End of Human Acts.
III. The Norms of Human Acts:
- Explore Law and Conscience as guiding principles for morality.
IV. The Morality of Human Acts:
- Examine morality's determinants and its relationship with human actions.
V. The Properties and Consequences of Human Acts:
- Analyze fundamental properties and outcomes of Human Acts.

Definition of Ethics

Ethics studies the morality of human conduct and exists as a practical science.
Human Acts become morally significant through the agent's advertence and consent, holding the agent responsible.

Classification of Human Acts

Elicited Acts: Originates in the will.
- Includes wishes, intentions, consent, elections, use, and fruition.
Commanded Acts: Initiated by will but require other faculties.
- Internal actions involve mental control; external actions pertain to physical manifestation.

Relationship to Reason

Human Acts can be classified as:
- Good: Aligns with reason.
- Evil: Contradicts reason.
- Indifferent: Context-dependent outcomes.

Constituents of Human Acts

Knowledge: Awareness of the act.
Freedom: Determined by the will.
Voluntariness: Must generally manifest knowledge and freedom.

Degrees of Voluntariness

Perfect vs. Imperfect: Full awareness vs. deficiencies in knowledge or intention.
Simple vs. Conditional: Present regardless of agent’s preference vs. acting with reluctance.
Direct vs. Indirect: Willed for its own sake vs. foreseen consequences.
Positive vs. Negative: Acts of doing vs. refraining.
Actual vs. Virtual: Intention occurring now vs. results of prior intentions.
Habitual vs. Interpretative: Consistent actions without revisiting intention vs. presumed presence of intention.

Indirect Voluntariness

Responsibility for Evil Effects: Meets three criteria: foreseeability, freedom to refrain, and moral obligation.
Principle of Double Effect: Requires good effect to precede evil, with a serious reason for the action.

Modifiers of Human Acts

Factors that can reduce the quality of human acts:
- Ignorance
- Concupiscence (appetites/passions)
- Fear
- Violence
- Habit

Ignorance Classification

Types:
- Of Law: Unawareness of duties.
- Of Fact: Misunderstanding actions.
- Of Penalty: Unawareness of consequences.
Categories:
- Vincible: Can be overcome with diligence.
- Invincible: Cannot be resolved even with effort.

Ethical Principles of Ignorance

Invincible ignorance eliminates voluntariness; vincible ignorance may lessen it, especially affected ignorance.

Concupiscence

Defined as passions arising from bodily appetites; classified as antecedent or consequent based on will's influence.
Consequent concupiscence does not diminish voluntariness.

Fear and Violence

Fear: Shrinking from danger with decisions possibly influenced by it.
Violence: External coercion against one's will, affecting the nature of the act.

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Description

This quiz delves into the nature of Human Acts, exploring their definition, classification, and the ends they serve. It aims to deepen your understanding of the guiding norms, such as Law and Conscience, and how morality impacts human actions. Ideal for students studying the ethical dimensions of human behavior.