Prof. Fernandino J. Pancho Morality of Human Act Prof. Fernandino J. Pancho

Concept of human act Human Act (Actus Humani) are actions that proceed from insight into the nature and purpose of one’s doing and from consent of free will. Human Act are acts which proceed from insight and free will. Human Act can also rightly be called personal act.

Distinguish from Acts of Man Acts of Man (actus hominis) are actions performed without intervention of intellect and free will. It comprises: All spontaneous biological and sensual processes, like nutrition, breathing, sensual impressions. All acts performed by those who have not the use of reason, like people asleep, lunatics, drunken people Actions which merely happen in the body or through the body without the awareness of the mind or the control of the will.

Elements Of Human Act Any act, thought, or word That is done with full knowledge & deliberate – ALAM NIYA 2. The person is free to do it – HINDI SIYA PINWERSA. 3. The person does it intentionally or voluntarily – NAIS NIYA TALAGANG GAWIN.

Knowing & Deliberate It means deliberation about the means to perform an action and about the end to be achieved. Awareness or conciousness of the conditions and implications of one’s action.

Free Acts Freedom is the power to choose between two or more courses of action without being forced to take one or the other by anything except our own will. Every human act is a free act for it is under the control of the will. Authentic Freedom is not “the right to say and do anything,” but to “do the good and truth.”

The whole moral life revolves around the use of freedom. The good use of freedom guarantees man the affirmation of his better self and the achievement of the purpose of life. The abuse of freedom is the origin of man’s guilty conduct. True liberty dignifies man; misuse of liberty debases him.

Freedom in Scripture Scriptures of the Old as well as of the New Testament evidence the conviction that man has the freedom to do what is good and to avoid what is evil, and that therefore he is responsible for his actions. Sirach 15:14 ff. Matthew 16:27; 25:31-46 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 2 Corinthians 5:10 Isaiah 1:19 ff. Ephesians 5:5 Jeremiah 11:6-8 Galatians 6:7 ff.

Intentional/Voluntary Acts A voluntary act is defined as the act which proceeds from an intrinsic principle with knowledge of the end. A voluntary act proceeds from the will and depends upon the will. A voluntary act is a will-act, not only a “willed act” When man knows the end of his work to the greatest degree and moves towards it, the voluntary character of his actions is present to the greatest degree.

Illustration A certain AUL student is aware of the regulations concerning the wearing of ID before entry & during inside the campus. (Knowledge) He/She is free to wear or not to wear the ID before entry & during inside the campus. (Freedom) He/she did not wear the ID and consequently disobeys the regulation of AUL. (Voluntariness)

Human Actions are good (moral) when they have the moral perfections and fullness required by the object of the actions. i.e. When human acts agree with the standards or norms of morality which are human reason, conscience and natural law. Human actions are evil (immoral) when they are contrary to the moral perfections required by the object of the action. Human actions are non-moral or amoral when it has no relation to morality. i.e. When human acts are perform by those who lack the moral sense of responsibility, like infants and insane people.

Principle “The greater the knowledge and freedom, the greater the voluntariness and moral responsibility involved, and conversely.”

Why only human acts can be judged as moral or immoral? What do you think? Why only human acts can be judged as moral or immoral?

References: Catechism of the Catholic Church Catechism for Filipino Catholics Ethics or Moral Philosophy, Alfredo Panizo, O.P. Christian Ethics, Karl H. Peschke Encarta Dictionaries

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