Distinction of Action PDF

A. Distinction of Action (EXERCISE 01) Human acts are the fundamental foundation of morality which means that it is through actions that we show how moral/ethical we are; it is through actions that express our moral responsibility. However, not all actions are of the same nature or characteristi...

A. Distinction of Action (EXERCISE 01) Human acts are the fundamental foundation of morality which means that it is through actions that we show how moral/ethical we are; it is through actions that express our moral responsibility. However, not all actions are of the same nature or characteristic and so with their role in the realm of morality; the walking is different from blinking of eyes, the former being voluntary while the latter is involuntary. In other words, there are actions that we do consciously because of clear purpose or intention while there are actions that we do unconsciously because they are part our autonomic bodily functions or they simply are acquired mannerisms. To further understand human actions, we have the following distinction: 1. Human Acts – acts which are free and voluntary; acts that are done with knowledge and consent; acts which are proper to man as man - because of all animals, he alone has knowledge and freedom of the will; acts which are under man’s control, and for which he is responsible for its consequences; acts of which man is the master and has power of doing or not doing as he pleases. 2. Acts of Man – acts that are usually referred to as ‘ordinary’ and they are bodily actions, or movements, performed without deliberations and in the absence of will. Examples of these are the blinking of our eyelids, breathing, sneezing and others. B. Distinction of Human Actions (EXERCISE 02) These distinctions apply only to ‘Human Acts’. It is at this juncture that we can further classify, or qualify, human actions in relation to morality. The situation (time, place and condition) in which a human action occur can be ascribed also as ‘moral event’. 1. Moral Actions – actions or events that require the goodness of the object chosen, the intention or the end in view and of the circumstances together. Moral actions are deemed to be good as one performs in accordance with the moral rules or codes of the society. 2. Immoral actions – actions or areas of interest where moral categories do apply but considered to be evil, sinful, or wrong according to the codes of ethics. Consciously telling a lie, graft and corruption, cheating during quizzes and examinations, gluttony, taking in drugs or poison with the intention to commit suicide are just few examples of an immoral action. 3. Amoral Actions - actions or areas of interest exhibiting indifference. These are, at times, manifested in the absence of knowledge, freedom and voluntariness on the part of the person doing the action. Examples: a young child who speaks bad words (as way of mimicking adults), an Aeta who came from the mountain obstructing the flow of traffic in a city, or a man accidentally entering the women’s comfort room.