The Morality of Human Acts and Moral Accountability PDF

The Morality of Human Acts and Moral Accountability Disclaimer: Ideas and concepts in this learning material are excerpts from established references and properly noted in the list of literature cited herein. The author in this learning material remains a compiler and...

The Morality of Human Acts and Moral Accountability Disclaimer: Ideas and concepts in this learning material are excerpts from established references and properly noted in the list of literature cited herein. The author in this learning material remains a compiler and does not claim full and authentic ownership of ideas and concepts expressed. This material is for the sole use of instruction. This material is not intended for commercial purposes. Definition of Human Acts Human acts (Actus Humani) refer to “actions that proceed from insight into the nature and purpose of one’s doing and from the consent of free will” (Peschke 1985: 247) Specifically, human acts are those actions done by a person in certain situations which are essentially the result of his/her concious knowledge, freedom and voluntariness or consent. Definition of Acts of Man Acts of man are those that humans share with animals whose actions and movements emanate from purely sensual nature. These things are performed without deliberation and free will. Human Acts vs Acts of Man Examples of Human Acts: telling the truth going to school Submitting your assignments Examples of Acts of Man breathing beating of the heart digestion Basic Elements of Human Acts 1. The act must be deliberate - It must be performed by a conscious agent who is very much aware of what he/she is doing and of its consequences---good or evil. 2. The act must be performed in freedom - It must be done by an agent who is acting freely, with his/her own volition and powers. 3. The act must be voluntarily - It must be performed by an agent who decides willfully to perform the act. Major Determinants of the Morality of Human Acts 1. The Act Itself or the Object of the Act - refers to the actions that is done or performed by an agent, or simply “WHAT the person does?” 2. The Motive or the Intention - The motive is the purpose or intention that for the sake of which something is done. It answers the question “WHY the person does what he does?” 3. The Circumstances - The moral goodness or badness of an act is determined on the circumstances or situation surrounding the performance of the action. Four types of Circumstances that Affect the Morality of the Act 1. Mitigating or Extenuating Circumstances - diminish the degree of moral good or evil in an act. 2. Aggravating Circumstances - increase the degree of moral good or evil in an act without adding a new and distinct species of moral good or evil. 3. Justifying Circumstances - show adequate reason for some acts done. 4. Specifying Circumstances - give a new distinct species of moral good or evil of the act. Modifiers of Human Acts Factors and conditions that affect to a considerable extent man’s inner disposition towads certain actions are known as “modifiers of human acts.” These modifiers, accordingly, “affect human acts in the essential qualities of knowledge, freedom, voluntariness, and so make them less perfectly human” (Glenn 1965: 25). 1. Ignorance - is the absence of necessary knowledge which a person in a given situation, who is performing a certain act, ought to have. Principles Governing Ignorance a. Invincible Ignorance - lack of knowledge that a person has no way to obtain. b. Vincible Ignorance - lack of knowledge that a rational person is capable of acquiring by making an effort. 2. Passion or Concupiscence - It refers more specifically to those bodily appetites or tendicies as experienced and expressed is such feelings as fear, love, hatred, despair, horror, sadness, anger, grief and the like. 3. Fear - is defined as “the disturbance of the mind of a person who is confronted by an impending danger or harm to himself or loved ones” (Agapay 2008: 36-37) 4. Violence - Generally, violence refers to “any physical force exerted on a person by another free agent for the purpose of compelling the said person to act against his will” (Agapay 1991: 24). 5. Habit - is a “constant and easy way of doing things acquired by the repetition of the same act” (Panizo 1964:37). Types of Norms Technical Norm - This refers mainly to man’s needs which come from his bodily space-time limatations. Example: “thats not the proper way to wash the dishes” Societal Norm - This particular type of norm has something to do with the need for group cohesion and for strengthening the bonds that keep the community together. Examples: “certain manner or attire”, certain ways of speaking”  Aesthetic Norm - This refer to typical perceptual forms regarding color, shape, space, movement, sound, feeling and emotion, touch and texture, taste, scent and odor. Example: “pop music is good” Ethical or Moral Norm - The moral or ethical norm refers to some ideal vision of a human person, an ideal stage or perfection of his/her being, which serves as the ultimate goal or norm. Example: “matters that concern life and death such as war and inequality”