Lessons 4 & 5 - Morality of Human Acts and Its Determinants Flashcards
is described as that quality of human acts which leads us to call some as good or evil (not good.)
Morality
A thing is good inasmuch as it can answer a ___, ___, or ___; otherwise, it is ___
tendency
appetite
desire
evil
In Ethics, we consider moral ___ or ___
good or evil
Latin for the greatest good
Summum Bonum
the Limitless Good
God
the ultimate norm
Divine Reason/ Eternal Law
the proximate norm
Human Reason/ Conscience
according to ___, human reason is a shadow of divine reason
plato
Human acts are good or evil inasmuch as they agree or conflict with ___
the Divine reason
___ is the judgment of ___ recognizing and applying the ___ in human acts.
Conscience
human reason
Eternal Law
From what has been said, ___ can be defined strictly as the ___.
morality
relation of human acts to their norm
___ will be the dictating factor to tell between right and wrong.
Conscience
3 determinants of morality
the object
the motive
the circumstances
This refers to the act itself, the deed done or to be done
The Object
The morality of indifferent acts is determined by the ___ for which it is done and the circumstances which affect it.
end (motive)
This refers to the agent’s personal intentions or wishes to be achieved by the act over and above what it naturally tends to.
The Motive (End of the Agent)
Ethical Principles Governing Motive
A good act done for a good motive becomes better; it will become best if done for several good motives.
An evil act done for an evil end becomes worse; it will become worst if done for several evil motives.
A good act done for an evil end, is entirely evil if the end is the whole motive of the act.
An evil act can never become good by reason of a good end.
An indifferent act becomes good of done for a good end, and evil if performed for an evil end.
They are the conditions that affect an act and may affect it morally, although they do not belong to the essence of the act as such.
The Circumstances
Seven circumstances
- Circumstance of person (who)
- Circumstance of quality or quantity of the act (what)
- Circumstance of Place (where)
- Circumstance of Means (with what ally)
- Circumstance of Manner (how)
- Circumstance of Time (when)
- Circumstance of the End of the Agent (why)
Who is the agent?
To whom is the act done?
Circumstance of person (who)
Punching is bad, this is now made worse if you punch a family member
Circumstance of person (who)
What is the extent of the act?
Was the injury slight or serious?
Circumstance of quality or quantity of the act (what)
Where did the act take place?
Circumstance of Place (where)
Killing is bad, made worse if it takes place inside a church
Circumstance of Place (where)
What is used in the performance of the act
Circumstance of Means (with what ally)
Getting drunk is technically a sin, made worse when using stolen money
Circumstance of Means (with what ally)
How did the agent perform the act?
Was he in good or bad faith?
Was his evil disposition intensely malicious or only slightly so?
Circumstance of Manner (how)
Online masses are good, but lying down in bed while watching is bad
Circumstance of Manner (how)
How long did the agent retain an evil thought, long period or momentarily?
Circumstance of Time (when)
Eating meat during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Circumstance of Time (when)
This is similar to the second determinant
Circumstance of the End of the Agent (why)
