Human will Flashcards
Definition
In its natural state, the will is pure potency; an unrestricted capacity to love that does not want anything yet in the concrete. Nevertheless, it is open to the last end, happiness.
Object of the will
The good
Types of good
ontological/real good
apparent good
Real good
good is what will actually satisfy the will
Apparent good
is pleasing but yet will not bring real happiness (picnic). It has the appearance of bringing happiness but will not really give happiness.
Manifestation of the human will
The human desire for unconditional love and to love unconditionally;
The human desire for perfect justice/goodness and to be perfectly just/good
The desire for perfect beauty
Faith (a desire for intimate relationship with God
Levels of happiness
Natural level
Essential level
Personal level
Bliss
Natural level of happiness
The main aim of this level could be called satisfaction. We are satisfied when we achieve our body needs for food, drink, rest, exercise, health and generation. Satisfaction is achieved with pleasure, physical and physiological pleasure.
Essential level of happiness
the use of our intellectual and will power faculties to achieve their end, which are knowledge and control. The main aim of this level can be called success. We are satisfied at this level when we achieve the knowledge we seek
Personal level of happiness
and takes us away from ourselves to reach, to accept, to give to other persons. Happiness at this level can be called fulfillment
At this level we are looking for the good beyond ourselves.
Bliss
relates us to our origin and mission, to the person who created us, has power on us, cares for us, has a plan for us, which is above us all and is God
Aspects of will
Will moved by nature
Will moved by reason or choice
Will moved by nature
This is where the will is moved by the notion of good in itself. It answers the question, what is the object or nature of the will. The answer is the good. Hence by nature, the will is moved by anything good that has been grasped by the intellect. Eg a mother is is naturally predisposed towards protecting her baby.
Every human will is naturally inclined towards that which embodies some measure of perfection; there is no figuring out; the inclination is somewhat automatic.
Will moved by reason or choice
The will is moved by the aspect of goodness found in something. This is the level where there is some indetermination. The will acts as a power of choice. It can reject or accept whatever is provided.
Here the will acts as a power to confer or withhold = choice
What appetite in man is responsible for choosing the good?
The appetite in man which is responsible for choosing the good is the rational appetite or the will. The will is the faculty that inclines us to make choices.
The object of the will is the good. If the good attained is the real good, the person becomes happy.
The action of the will follows that of the intellect. It is impossible for someone to choose something he does not know. To act correctly, one needs to know the correct way
Though the will is last in terms of execution, it may decide to follow or not to follow the intellect. The will can thus perform two actions, according to choice or nature.
