Philosophy of Action: Elicited Acts

Questions and Answers

What characterizes human acts as opposed to acts of man?

They are performed involuntarily.

They arise from deliberate free will. (correct)

They are always moral acts.

They are based on sensory perceptions.

Which of the following is an example of an act of man?

Making a moral decision.

Planning a vacation.

Choosing a career path.

Dreaming during sleep. (correct)

Which type of act begins and is perfected by other faculties under the control of the will?

Reflexive Acts

Commanded Acts (correct)

Acts of Man

Elicited Acts

What is an example of an elicited act?

Wishing for a new job. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding human acts?

They can form habits and character. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an elicited act of intention?

The will’s tendency towards something not obligatory. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates an act of man?

Walking while distracted. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of human acts reflects the first tendency of the will towards an object?

Wish Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of 'elicited acts'?

They require acceptance of means necessary to fulfill intention. Signup and view all the answers

Which act involves the selection of precise means to carry out an intention?

Election Signup and view all the answers

What defines 'commanded acts'?

They are perfected through mental or bodily powers under one's will. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes consequent concupiscence?

It follows the free determination of the act and is freely admitted. Signup and view all the answers

How does fear affect voluntariness in action?

Acts with fear are voluntary if the agent has use of reason. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of internal commanded acts?

Conscious reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes an act being considered 'good'?

When it aligns with the dictates of reason. Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is an act considered not voluntary due to fear?

An individual temporarily loses rational capacity under extreme fear. Signup and view all the answers

What defines acts done with fear?

The act itself retains its voluntary nature despite fear. Signup and view all the answers

What quality is essential for an act to be a human act?

The agent must know they are doing the act. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of violence as described?

An external force compelling a person against their will. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'mixed acts'?

Acts involving both bodily and mental powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key factor in determining if human acts are evil?

They are in opposition to the dictates of reason. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes ignorance that can be overcome by acquiring knowledge?

Vincible Ignorance Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ignorance occurs when a person is unaware of a duty or law?

Ignorance of Law Signup and view all the answers

What must a human act be free from in order to be considered truly voluntary?

External force Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of antecedent ignorance?

Ignorance that exists before consent is given Signup and view all the answers

Which option correctly defines concomitant ignorance?

Ignorance that accompanies an action that would still be performed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of responsibility in relation to human actions?

The feeling of moral obligation to act according to the situation Signup and view all the answers

According to St. Thomas, how is freedom of will defined?

The power which men have to act according to their reason Signup and view all the answers

How does antecedent concupiscence affect the responsibility of an agent?

It diminishes, but does not eliminate, their responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What type of ignorance is characterized by the absence of knowledge that is essential?

Privative Ignorance Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of modifications like fear on human acts?

They lessen the moral character of the human act Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is required for an act to be classified as a human act?

It must be done with free will Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of concupiscence?

Bodily appetites or tendencies classified as passions Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates ignorance of fact?

A pedestrian not knowing that a street is closed Signup and view all the answers

How does 'free will' differ from 'act of man'?

Free will requires rational thought while an act of man does not Signup and view all the answers

Which modifier can significantly reduce an agent's responsibility for an act?

Ignorance about the situation Signup and view all the answers

Which concept illustrates the natural tendency to be drawn to what is good?

Will Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Acts vs. Acts of Man

Human Acts: Involves deliberate free will, internal or external, moral in nature, and subject to praise or blame.
Acts of Man: Reflexive actions performed without free will, including involuntary or unconscious actions such as those done in sleep or infancy.

Classification of Human Acts

Elicited Acts: Originates from the will and includes wishes, intentions, consent, elections, use, and fruition.
- Wish: Natural inclination towards an object.
- Intention: Will’s tendency toward achievable but non-obligatory actions.
- Consent: Acceptance of means necessary for carrying out intentions.
- Election: Choosing specific means to achieve an intention.
- Use: Commanding the use of chosen means.
- Fruition: Enjoying the fulfillment of the desired objective.
Commanded Acts: Actions carried out by bodily or mental powers under the will’s control, subdivided into:
- Internal Acts: Mental efforts like reasoning, meditation, or emotional control.
- External Acts: Physical actions such as speaking, walking, or writing.
- Mixed Acts: Combination of both mental and physical actions like studying or playing chess.

Relation to Dictates of Reason

Human acts can be:
- Good: Aligned with reason.
- Evil: Opposed to reason.
- Indifferent: Not related to the dictates of reason.
Dictates of Reason: Standards for judging actions as morally good or evil.

Essential Qualities of Human Acts

Knowing: Awareness of one’s actions and their consequences.
Free: Absence of external constraints ensuring the individual acts on their own volition.
Voluntary: Engagement of will in decision-making, without coercion.

Responsibility

Ability to respond appropriately to situations involving human needs signifies moral obligation.
Responsible Individual: Feels a moral duty to act in accordance with situational demands.
Responsibility tied to freely chosen responses, allowing for moral fulfillment or ethical failure.

Free Will and Freedom

Will: Natural inclination towards good, repulsion from evil, guided by intellect.
Free Will: Operates without external pressure, essential for human acts.
Freedom: Defined as the capacity to determine actions based on reason, limited by the rights of others.

Modifiers of Human Acts

Factors that influence moral character and accountability of actions include:
- Ignorance: Lack of knowledge impacting comprehension of moral duty.
  - Divided into types: of law, fact, and subject (vincible vs. invincible).
- Concupiscence: Bodily appetites affecting decision-making, categorized as antecedent (lessens responsibility) or consequent (doesn’t lessen responsibility).
- Fear: Can coerce actions; once overwhelming, it transforms a human act to an act of man.
- Violence: External force compelling an act against one’s will, negating the voluntary nature of the act.

Summary of Concepts

Understanding human acts and acts of man is crucial in ethical considerations.
Emotional and cognitive considerations heavily influence the morality of actions.
Recognizing the impact of modifiers can aid in evaluating personal responsibility and ethical conduct.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of elicited acts in philosophy, specifically focusing on consent, election, and use. Each concept is foundational to understanding how intentions are executed and the role of will in this process. Test your knowledge on these critical topics in the philosophy of action.