Lessons 4 & 5 - Morality of Human Acts and Its Determinants

Question 1

is described as that quality of human acts which leads us to call some as good or evil (not good.)

Answer 1

Morality

Question 2

A thing is good inasmuch as it can answer a ___, ___, or ___; otherwise, it is ___

Answer 2

tendency
appetite
desire
evil

Question 3

In Ethics, we consider moral ___ or ___

Answer 3

good or evil

Question 4

Latin for the greatest good

Answer 4

Summum Bonum

Question 5

the Limitless Good

Answer 5

God

Question 6

the ultimate norm

Answer 6

Divine Reason/ Eternal Law

Question 7

the proximate norm

Answer 7

Human Reason/ Conscience

Question 8

according to ___, human reason is a shadow of divine reason

Answer 8

plato

Question 9

Human acts are good or evil inasmuch as they agree or conflict with ___

Answer 9

the Divine reason

Question 10

___ is the judgment of ___ recognizing and applying the ___ in human acts.

Answer 10

Conscience
human reason
Eternal Law

Question 11

From what has been said, ___ can be defined strictly as the ___.

Answer 11

morality
relation of human acts to their norm

Question 12

___ will be the dictating factor to tell between right and wrong.

Answer 12

Conscience

Question 13

3 determinants of morality

Answer 13

the object
the motive
the circumstances

Question 14

This refers to the act itself, the deed done or to be done

Answer 14

The Object

Question 15

The morality of indifferent acts is determined by the ___ for which it is done and the circumstances which affect it.

Answer 15

end (motive)

Question 16

This refers to the agent’s personal intentions or wishes to be achieved by the act over and above what it naturally tends to.

Answer 16

The Motive (End of the Agent)

Question 17

Ethical Principles Governing Motive

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

The Circumstances

Question 19

Seven circumstances

Answer 19

1. Circumstance of person (who)
2. Circumstance of quality or quantity of the act (what)
3. Circumstance of Place (where)
4. Circumstance of Means (with what ally)
5. Circumstance of Manner (how)
6. Circumstance of Time (when)
7. Circumstance of the End of the Agent (why)

Question 20

Who is the agent?
To whom is the act done?

Answer 20

Circumstance of person (who)

Question 21

Punching is bad, this is now made worse if you punch a family member

Answer 21

Circumstance of person (who)

Question 22

What is the extent of the act?
Was the injury slight or serious?

Answer 22

Circumstance of quality or quantity of the act (what)

Question 23

Where did the act take place?

Answer 23

Circumstance of Place (where)

Question 24

Killing is bad, made worse if it takes place inside a church

Answer 24

Circumstance of Place (where)

Question 25

What is used in the performance of the act

Answer 25

Circumstance of Means (with what ally)

Question 26

Getting drunk is technically a sin, made worse when using stolen money

Answer 26

Circumstance of Means (with what ally)

Question 27

How did the agent perform the act?
Was he in good or bad faith?
Was his evil disposition intensely malicious or only slightly so?

Answer 27

Circumstance of Manner (how)

Question 28

Online masses are good, but lying down in bed while watching is bad

Answer 28

Circumstance of Manner (how)

Question 29

How long did the agent retain an evil thought, long period or momentarily?

Answer 29

Circumstance of Time (when)

Question 30

Eating meat during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday

Answer 30

Circumstance of Time (when)

Question 31

This is similar to the second determinant

Answer 31

Circumstance of the End of the Agent (why)