God Created all things… “paradise” Gen 12: 3, John 3: 16-17) and Apostolic

(Ephesians 2:20 ) .
There was harmony, justice, peace, and
joy. From the Church developed the
Hierarchy (Bishops, priests, and
The first human beings (“Adam” and
deacons – with the Pope as the overall
“Eve”) still committed sin
head for the sake of division of work
Sacrament: means channel, and maintaining the unity of the
representative, visible sign of an Church while it spreads the Kingdom of
invisible reality. God on earth.

God - Jesus - Church From the Church comes the

different “kinds” of priests according to
The Sacrament of God is spirituality or mission area.
Jesus and the Sacrament of Jesus is
the Church (John 20:21, Acts 1:8) a. Diocesan is a term use for priests
serving their local places;
The Church started as a religious
renewal “movement”/group in b. Monks: started in the 3rd century AD
Jerusalem, Israel by no other than in Egypt and in Syria with a life of
Jesus Christ. Jesus grounded the simplicity or asceticism.
Church on the foundation of the
Monks who are composed of
Apostles and it spread from Jerusalem
sisters (not priests) only came out later.
to the Roman Empire world until
Example of few monks in Cagayan who
throughout all the earth.
are sisters are those at the St. Claire
The first “name” of the Church was monastery in Iguig.
The Way (Acts 9:2), The members of
c. Missionaries are group/community of
the Church were called Christians in
priests who really want to go to serve
Antioch (Acts 11: 26). The Church
remote places not yet evangelize.
was persecuted by the Roman Empire
(which was still pagan) until the Examples of missionaries are
Conversion of the Emperor Constantine the following:
in 313 AD which paved the way for
c.1. The Dominicans who was founded
Christians to infiltrate Rome until
by St. Dominic in Prouille, France in
Christianity was declared as the official
1216. (Dominic was a Spanish priest).
religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD
by Emperor Theodosius. c.2. The Augustinians which started in
1244 in Italy (group or no specific
Way back in 45 AD, the first apostle
founder).
who went to Rome and started the
Church there was no other than Peter. c.3. The Jesuits or called Society of
Later, reflecting on the mission of Jesus Jesus who was founded in 1540 by
which He passed on to the Church, the Ignatius of Loyola, formerly a Spanish
Church’s official “name” or title evolved soldier who became priest.
into: One (John 17:21), Holy
(Ephesians 1:4, 5:27, I Peter 2:9), c.4. The CICM and other missionary
Catholic (Matthew 28: 18-20, Acts 1:8, groups only came out later.
 The CICM was founded by a apply the learned principles, values and
diocesan priest Theophile Verbist in skills in the chosen field of discipline,
1862 in Scheut, Anderlecht, Brussels, taking initiative and command
Belgium. responsibility in one’s professional
advancement.

So what is a CICM? It is just one of the

missionary groups which is an arm of d. Social Awareness and Involvement.
the Church for evangelization. We engage ourselves with society by
listening to the prevailing issues and
One of the many strategies for
concerns in the society, thereby
missionaries to evangelize people
initiating and participating in
especially the youth to prepare them to
constructive and relevant social
become also evangelizers in their own
activities for the promotion of justice,
ways in the future is to establish
peace and integrity of creation and for
schools. With this, obviously, in the
people’s wellness and development
missionary schools and even schools
consistent with the CICM charism.
established by the local Church, the
core of the curriculum is the Christian
Faith Education of the young (children
to college); in a wider sense, the e. Innovation, Creativity and Agility. We
Christian formation of the Community keep ourselves relevant and responsive
who are running the school. The CICM to the changing needs of our
established schools for such purpose. stakeholders by being flexible, solution
Here at the University of Saint Louis, oriented, and having cutting-edge
our motto for us to always remember decisions and practices.
this is “Mission and Excellence” and
among the core values of our
University’s Vision – Mission, the first is What is Morality?
Christian Living. The Descriptive title of our course is
a. Christian Living. We are witnesses to Christian Morality in Our Times. First,
the Gospel values as taught and lived we have to ask what is Morality?
by Christ thus making Basically, Morality is connected with
norms. So, the next step is to ask if
God’s love known and experienced by what is a norm?
all.
What is Norms?
It is commonly defined as rules or
b. Excellence. We seek and maintain standards that are socially enforced. In
uncompromising standard of quality in the ancient times, norms often come in
teaching, learning, service, and the forms of customs, rituals, and
stewardship of school resources. traditions. This was so since people
would easily follow these standards if it
becomes part of their life-styles until it
c. Professional Responsibility. We are becomes part of their way of living.
committed to efficiently and responsibly
Morality deals with the “quality” 2. Human Nature / Natural law (since
(goodness or badness) of human man is part of the whole nature or
acts/actions. In morality we judge Creation)
whether a certain act or action is
One’s concept/view of the nature of
good or bad. How does morality judge
the human person will also dictate
human acts/actions? Morality needs
what set of moral norms is being set
basis/bases which are the rules or
to be followed or lived by us humans.
standards or technically called Law. In
general, these rules or standards or Serious Implications to Morality:
laws are called Norms.
As being explained above in the
Source of Norms concept of the origin of all things, if
you believe that we are both bodily
Three Bases in coming up with a
and spiritual beings since we are
good/right norm for human act/
creations of God, then our moral
human life: Knowing the Origin, Nature
norms will flow from such concept,
and the End/Destiny of the human
and if you just believe that we are
person.
purely animals, then our moral
The concepts of the Origin, Nature, and norms will also flow from such view
the Destiny of the Human Person and like treating us as purely animals.
their serious implications in coming up
with moral norms.
3. Destiny / End / or the Ultimate
1. The Concept of the Origin of the
Goal of human life
Human Person and all things that
surround him/her. Different religions commonly believe
that as we were created by a higher
Origin: God – man is Creature of God
being or called supreme being, we also
Apes- man came from apes have a good destiny prepared for us. We
commonly believe that there is a life
Serious Implications to Morality:
after the death of our physical aspect.
If you believe that the human person This is called “heaven” in Christianity,
originated from a supreme being called and other religions have also their own
“God”, then it follows that your moral terms for such a destiny for the human
norms/laws will depend on the person.
characteristics of that “God”; or that
On the other way around, other
“God” will be the one to command or
people who do not believe in beings that
give norms to the human person. An
are higher than the human person will
example of this is the 10
just say that there is no such thing as
Commandments in the case of Judaism
life after death. Death is the ultimate
or Christianity. The moral laws will
end of the human persons.
greatly respect the dignity of that “God”
and the human person whom He also Serious Implications to Morality:
created. There is what you call “fear of
The same with the case of the
the Lord” as part of your moral norms.
concept of the origin of all, the view for
the end/destiny of the human person
will also dictate what set of moral organized in their government systems.
norms is being laid for us. If you When different societies mature or
strongly believe in the life after death develop, their moral standards would
and going there at the end of life also become more organized, more so
requires good moral life, then we have when they realized how important is the
to do good in our lives to be able to laying out of the rules to govern human
attained such destiny. On the other actions for the sustenance of the peace
hand, if there is no noble and order in society which will pave the
end/destiny for the human person, way for more social progress and
then there are no such thing as further developments. So, what is
moral norms. There will be norms but “Morality” in a more technical
they will greatly depend on the concept definition?
of the people who can manipulate the
Our next question is, how did morality
others
arrive with these norms? If the human
person came up with these norms or
found these norms by thinking deeply/
What is Morality?
reflecting or so, called philosophizing,
The Descriptive title of our course is then the process or the science is called
Christian Morality in Our Times. First, Moral Philosophy. In other situations, if
we have to ask what is Morality? the norms or rules were given or
Basically, Morality is connected with revealed by God or the Divine being, the
norms. So, the next step is to ask if science is called Moral Theology.
what is a norm?
Norm is a fundamental concept in
What is the difference between the
the social sciences. It is commonly
two?
defined as rules or standards that are
socially enforced. In the ancient times, Moral Philosophy found out the norms
when there were no formal social or rules by using purely human
structures such as government and the reasoning or called philosophizing,
Church; or when the different religions while in Moral Theology, these rules or
were not yet as organized as they are norms were given or revealed by God.
now, norms often come in the forms of An example of norms in Moral Theology
customs, rituals, and traditions. This is the Ten Commandments. So Moral
was so since people would easily follow Philosophy relies on pure
these standards if it becomes part of reasoning/deeply thinking while Moral
their life-styles until it becomes part of Theology would depend on God’s
their way of living. In the Philippine revelation and faith. Aside from
context, respecting one’s parents would Philosophizing and God’s revelation, let
be taught by saying “po” or “opo” to us try to find out how others come up
them, or by the practice of with norms for the human person
“pagmamano”.
Most if not all religions would strongly
Norms would only come in the forms of believe that all creation and the human
rules, regulations, or technically called person came from a creator which we
law when society became more socially call “God” whether you call that God
YHWH, Allah, Brahman, Bathala, Who or what is the Human person
Kabuniyan or what so ever term which based on Nature?
would indicate being all-powerful and
other traits expected of a supreme
being. Since the actions of the human person
Outside the realm of beliefs, flows from what he/she is, we need to
some would strongly propose other discuss his/her nature by enumerating
theories for the origin of the human its essential characteristics.
person such as the theories that the
human person evolved from other
creatures or animals or even product of 1. Rational being - has
purely natural happenings. intellect/mind/reason.; the only animal
who knows that she/he knows.
For the second concept of the origin of
the human person which suggests that 2. Has Free-will. - the power to act or
we evolved from other animals or just not to act on his/her choices.
product of purely natural events, its 3. Has Conscience. – the practical
moral norms will just depend on the judgment of the intellect on what is
nature of the human person which will good or what is bad, and is
just be purely animal. With this, there prompting the person to always
will be no higher dignity for the person do/follow what is good.
to be respected and there will also be
no fear or respect for a higher being or 4. Loving being – Aside from the love
higher authority which is called “God”. between opposite sex which is designed
So, you can just do whatever you want for the continuity of the human species,
such as easily manipulating others generally, loving means desiring the
even to the point of killing good of others.

fellow human persons since you may 5. Body - Person – We have a flesh
think that man is the highest authority (physical part), which connects us to
on earth. the material world. Our bodies (physical
part) is dependent on nature/earth.
: Moral Philosophy studies the goodness Our bodies use the elements of the
and badness of human actions in the earth. The death of mother earth will
light of the highest principles based on also be the death of our bodies.
human reason alone while Moral
Theology studies the goodness and 6. Sexual – refers to being male or
badness of human actions in the light female which is intended for
of revelation (in the light of Christian companionship and pro-creation.
faith to attain his final goal).
7. Unique Though Social: - We need
independence but we are also social
being who live with others. These two
HUMAN NATURE/THE HUMAN are inseparable. No wo/man is an
PERSON island
8. Historical: We have a continuity
with the past.
9. Transcendental: the human person compassionate and many others. So, if
has Metaphysical (meta = beyond) God is good, then basically we are also
aspects such as intellect, emotion, good; if God is just, we are also
conscience and others. basically just, and others.
What is the Implication of the 2. Fundamentally/innately good or
Human Nature to Morality? moral being: No human person is bad
or evil, only our wrong actions are bad
Our actions flow from our nature. As
or evil and not the human person.
historical beings, you must learn from
your past experiences; as a loving 3. God’s partner / “co-creators” of
being, you must always desire what is God. This is why we are called stewards
good for others; as a rational being, of God’s creation. Part of our being “co-
you think before you act; as creators” of God is our being sexual
transcendental being, you are heading (male or female) which is design for
to a certain destiny, and the like. pro-creation.
Among these traits of the nature of 4. Rational being– has intellect or
the human person, which should reasoning or mind.
regulate the others and his/her
5. Free – will – has freedom and will
human actions/decisions?
which he/she can use to act or not to
act.
The one which should always regulate 6. Brother’s keeper (social, and
the others or human actions which communal): we need to take care of
proceed from the other traits is others aside from ourselves.
Conscience. This is because using the
7. Weak / has fallen nature/
other traits like intellect or freewill
“brokenness”: This is called original
alone without the intervention of
sin in Theology. In other terms we may
Conscience can lead to misuse, or
call this being “incomplete”, or
abuse of human actions.
“unfinished”. From this being
Since we are Christians who strongly incomplete comes your mission which
believe in the existence of a Creator is to finish or complete yourselves.
(Theos or God) as the origin of all and
8. Graced: this means we are
the proper destiny which this Creator
aided/being assisted by God in our
prepared for us, we also need to look at
journey of bringing ourselves to
the other traits of the human person
perfection. In the Catholic Church,
based on this perspective.
God’s grace will come to us through the
Seven Sacraments and our other ways
of connecting with our Creator.
Who/What is the human person in a
Theological Perspective/View?
1. Masterpiece of God (God’s Image 9. Transcendental: this pushes us to
and likeness): We reflect some of the look for the ultimate meaning of life and
important characteristics of God such ultimately to our God
as goodness, loving, just,
10. Children/family of God. We belong b. Marxism: A philosophy by Karl Marx
to the family of God, formally through which looks at the human person as
Baptism. purely material being or from mater
and there are no such things as
metaphysical aspects such as soul and
11. Destined for the Kingdom. We also God. This view just focused on the
have our destiny which we commonly way of governance since it was more of
call “heaven” or “paradise” or in Jesus’ a reaction to the abuses of the
words called the Kingdom of God. democratic and other forms of
governing people.
Why do we need to formulate
norms/rules/laws for the human For Marxism, the ultimate goal
person if his/her nature should of people is to have a Classless Society
influence his/her actions? Well, there (no rich, no poor). This was achieved in
are many people who abuse their other a communistic form of government.
faculties like mind/intellect, Development or progress must always
freedom and others, and they also be for the common good / not
ignore the very basic and immediate individualistic.
norm which is Conscience. This is why Norm: Do everything for the
there are many norms or set of norms common good. Never mind individual
laid for the good of the human person goals or individual progress, set aside
and one of the very basic set of norms yourselves. “all for one, one for all”.
is the Ten Commandments.
c. Nihilism:
With this, we hope that the sources of
the norms of Morality is now very clear For this philosophy, the human
to us. For a kind of widening of horizon, person and his/her life has no ultimate
let us look on the other views on the meaning, no ultimate value.
destiny for the human person since we
If the human person and life is
also said earlier that the concept of the
meaningless or no value at all, what is
destiny is also one of the sources of the
your norm for life and for your action?
norms of morality.
Aside from having no definite norm, you
Some views on the Ultimate reflect on the danger of this kind of
End/Destiny of the Human Person philosophy.

a. Hedonism
For this Philosophy, the d. Christian view:
ultimate goal for the human person is
For Christianity, the ultimate
Happiness, and this happiness is found
goal/destiny for the human person is to
in pleasure (“sarap)”. So, “kung saan
enter the Kingdom or to have eternal
ang masarap’ dun ang kasiyahan”. This
union/happiness with God.
pleasure is sensual.
Norm: Follow the teachings of
Therefore, for this certain
God such as the Ten Commandments
philosophy, the norm for human action
and others.
is to look for pleasure/pleasurable
things.
a. Morality is a matter of opinion. This that govern behaviors and
means that moral norms are subjective; actions of an individual or group
depends on the person. of individuals in order to achieve
harmony, unity, and order within
b. All opinions about morality are equal
a society.
and correct. Therefore, all opinions
should be followed. Purposes of Morality:
c. Morality is outside the world of a. For the Fullness of Freedom -
practical people. Whatever impractical for the human person to be
is not good. totally free
God willed that man/woman should be
‘left in the hand of his/her own counsel’
d. Morality develops guilt and moral so that she/he will, of his/her own
obligation which makes life unhappy. accord, seek his/her Creator and freely
So, we need to set aside moral norms attain his/her full blessed perfection.
Man/Woman is “rational and, therefore,
Point for reflection: What are the like God; he/she is created with free
possible or even probable things that will and is master over his/her acts.”
will happen to people and to society if So, norms are not prohibitions or
all these wrong principles about imprisonment for the human person
morality are correct? but are guide for him/her to be totally
free.
To clarify this, what will happen to you
After discussing all the sources if you do whatever you want? This is
of norms for the human person and the youngs’ perception of freedom. If I
their serious implications if there are will do whatever I want, like I will just
misconceptions, our next question is, steal others’ property or even kill
what should we really judge as good or someone, what will happen to me? It is
bad? Is it the human person or his/her either I will end up in the prison cell or
qualities or traits or his/her actions? I will go hiding. Doing whatever I want
Reflect on this for our discussion next will make me unfree. So, freedom does
meeting. not mean I will do whatever I want, but
I will always do anything so long as it is
good for me and for others. Freedom is
BASIC CONCEPTS IN MORALITY aimed at the perfection of the human
person.
What is Morality?
B. A guide to the Fullness of Human
• an encompassing concept that
Development
serves as the underlying force for
every action of an individual and Moral development is part of human
of a society development. Moral development is the
process through which children develop
• takes the crucial role of
proper attitudes and behaviors toward
formulating, establishing and
setting ethical norms of conduct
other people in society, based on social D. A Guide towards Meaning of
and cultural norms, rules, and laws. Life
Moral development is a concern for As mentioned above, morality or always
every parent. Teaching a child to doing good will allow the human person
distinguish right from wrong and to to discover the real value of things and
behave accordingly is a goal of life which at the end will let him/her
parenting. experience the true meaning of life.
Moral development is a complex issue E. The Entrance of Eternal Life into
that—since the beginning of human the Life of the Human Person
civilization—has been a topic of
After following the moral norms,
discussion among some of the world's
discovering the truth and real value of
most distinguished psychologists,
all things, and bringing himself/herself
theologians, and culture theorists.
to perfection, the human person will be
Material progress which does not follow able to reach his/her final destiny
moral norms and which others still which is to enter the kingdom of God.
consider as development is not really Morality reveals and leads the human
so. Examples of this are the jets person to his/her ultimate end/destiny.
fighters, bombs, and others. These are
After finding out the Purposes of
not really developments but are aimed
Morality, let us go back to the causes
for destruction; destruction of human
why there is morality. Although, these
lives or destruction of things, and
were implied in the discussions above,
nature.
we will enumerate and briefly explain
So, developments whether scientific, them for clarification purpose.
social, economic and others should
MORALITY PRESUPPOSES the
always follow norms of morality or else,
following:
they are aimed for destruction of many
things as mentioned above 1. The existence of God
Morality points us to the existence of
the Creator of all things who is totally
C. A Guide towards Reality (truth of
good and perfect and whom we call
things, life)
“God”. Since this Creator is totally good
Morality is a guide for the human or perfect, He/She also gave us a guide
person to discover reality or the truth of to attain total goodness or perfection.
things, and of life. This will lead the
2. Intellect and Free Will
human person to discover the hierarchy
of values until the ultimate value of life Intellect, freedom, will, and passions
and of all things. So, this will help the needs moral norms so for them not to
human person to set his/her priorities be abused, misuse or overuse.
in life until her/his attainment of the
ultimate goal which is the eternal union 3. Ultimate Destiny
and happiness with his/her Creator. As discussed above, moral norms are
guides for the human person to attain
his/her ultimate destiny which is the
Kingdom of God or eternal happiness falling object, one’s way of walking,
with God. reacting instinctively when touching a
very hot surface, and the likes. These
4. Accountability to an Ultimate
are done without the use of freewill and
value
reason. Some of these just happen
Morality tells us that there are ultimate naturally as automatic responses to the
values or ends that we will be HUMAN ACTS ACTS OF MAN
accountable (responsible) or we will face
the consequence later if we do not Deliberate Indeliberate
follow the norms. This ultimate value is
our final destiny which is the Kingdom Free Not free
of God. Voluntary Involuntary
Object of Morality
Conscious “Unconscious”
It is the action of the human person. To
Willful Unwillful
be very specific, what kind of action
needs to be judge as good or bad? There Known “Unknown”
are two kinds of acts which are the so-
called human acts and acts of man. Aware “Unaware”
Which of these two should be
moralized? While human acts and acts situations.
of man both pertain to the actions or
behaviors of an individual or group of
individuals, they must be clearly Constituents of Human Acts
delineated in order to discern which 1. Human acts are known and
brings moral responsibility. deliberate. An individual, as the moral
Human Acts are actions that are agent, has full knowledge in doing a
proper to humans, thus the crucial certain action. There is a prior
element of willful consent and knowledge and a deliberate evaluation
knowledge of the action must be whether to do an action or not.
present. One must freely use his/her 2. Human acts are free. An individual
intellect and freewill when acting. as the moral agent is free from any
Human acts reveal the value of external factors as well as internal
responsibility or accountability. Eating pressure to do the act. He/She is
healthy foods, reading notes in neither forced nor intimidated to do or
preparation for an exam, and saying no not to do something.
to drugs are just few examples.
3. Human acts are voluntary. The
Acts of Man are the actions that do not action proceeds from the willingness of
reflect the person as a rational being. an individual to perform action with a
The actions are performed without perceived knowledge of the end.
conscious deliberation or knowledge
and with the absence of freewill. Acts of With the given distinction above, it is
man constitute unconscious and now very clear that we cannot moralize
involuntary actions. Examples are one’s acts of man but the Human Acts
way of sleeping, suddenly catching a
Morality therefore covers human acts There are actions which are generally
and not acts of man. not judge as good nor bad, this is called
amoral or indifferent act. Amoral or
indifferent acts are the same with the
acts of man. Therefore, if you follow the
norms of society which in the ancient
time were customs, traditions, and
other practices, then your action is
good, if not then what you are doing is
KINDS OF VOLUNTARY ACTS bad.
IMPEDIMENT OF HUMAN ACTS
PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE EFFECT What is lacking on the norms set by our
STOP PRINCIPLE elders during their time? They are just
general guidelines on how people
Last week, we made it clear that what should live a good life and how to
we moralize or judge as good or bad is sustain good relationship with each
the human act and not the acts of man other. There is no criteria on how are
nor the person who is the doer of the we going to moralize or judge very
action. In the ancient time when there specific human actions to see if they are
were no formulated norms yet which we really good or bad. Even most of our
now call law/s, what were their bases laws today are still too general as bases
or norms to judge people’s actions or to moralize human actions. They
practices? Let us first look at the cannot give an exact judgment or exact
etymology of the word morality or amount or degree of reward or penalty
moral. The word “moral” originated which corresponds to the action
from the Latin word “mores” which committed. With this, we need specific
means manner or custom/s which are criteria.
widely used within a particular society
or culture. So, the norms for people at Elements in Determining the
that time were the established practices Morality of Human Acts
called customs. Example in the 1. The Act (The Object)
Philippine context, people do not state
the rule such as “honor your There are actions that the act itself will
parents/elders” but they teach us the reveal if it is good or bad. There is no
customs on how to do such like saying need for norms or rules to base on to
“po or opo” or “pagmamano” and see their quality. Examples: Killing,
others. stealing, cheating.; these acts are
clearly or obviously bad. Praying,
Even in ways of dressing, our elders attending the Holy Mass; these actions
had their customs on how to do it to be are obviously good.
respectful and others. So, it is now
clear to us that the customs set by our 2. Purpose or Intention (The End
elders before were the norms for people of the act) –WHY?
to live a good life and to have a good
A lot of our action is done with an
relationship with one another. From its
intention or purpose – the reason
etymology, moral means good, if you
behind the act. Although generally we
put a prefix “im”, immoral means bad.
do things with a good intention, there
are also instances where some will 2. If one of the three is evil, the act is
really do an action with a bad intention. evil.
3. Circumstance (involves: place, Helping one to steal, studying how to
time, person, manner) easily kill someone (what is evil here is
the intention)
This refers to the persons involved, the
time, place, and occasion that surround 3. Circumstance may create, mitigate or
the act. In other words, it answers the aggravate sin/culpability
questions: ‘WHO’, ‘WHEN’, ‘WHERE’
Circumstance can create, lessen or
and ‘HOW’. This can change or
increase or even remove one’s
completely alter the moral quality of a
culpability (guilt, penalty)
human act. Circumstance is a
condition modifying human actions, Example: walking on a newly cemented
either by increasing or diminishing the area is bad since alam na this, how
moral responsibility. about if the one who walked on that
area is a two years old girl? Will you
It plays an important role in affecting
moralize her action? Of course not.
the morality of an action because
human acts are performed at a definite 4. For amoral act or indifferent act, its
time and place, in a particular manner, morality will be judge by its purpose
for a certain reason, etc. All of which, in and circumstance.
one way or another, increase or
diminish the responsibility of the ex: throwing a stone, walking, etc.
action. Circumstance can make a good how about if one intentionally stepped
action evil, as when a guard on duty on the newly cemented area?
goes to sleep. Obviously, such action is bad.

It can increase or minimize the guilt of

the individual as when a student lies 5. An act which is intrinsically evil is
to his/her teacher when he/she cheats. not morally allowed regardless of any
Since all human actions occur at a circumstance.
certain time and place, the ex: killing, suicide, adultery, rape,
circumstance must always be and the likes.
considered in evaluating the moral
quality of any human act. a. A good act done for a bad end
becomes bad.
Principles for Judging the Morality of
Human Acts (application of the three Example: Politicians who gave relief
criteria above) goods to people who were greatly
affected by the mass flooding taking
1. An act is morally good if the 3 (Act, advantage of the situation to campaign
Purpose and Circumstance) are for the election.
substantially good. Examples:
Helping, Studying, working, etc.
b. A bad act done for a good end does
not become good
Example: When a father put the justice brother will not ask for more, and the
into his hands and kills the murderer of elder can have the cake all to himself.
his daughter to take revenge for her
death.
e. Choose the lesser evil (if no other
options or it is the last resort)
c. The end does not justify the
This is only allowed if there are
means. (The end or purpose does not
no other options and the situation is a
justify the means or manner) This is
matter of life and death where you need
almost the same with letter b. No
to decide at that very moment.
matter how good the purpose is if the
manner or way or act is bad then it is
not morally allowed.
Other Moral Principles Based on the
Example: A student cheats during Three Criteria of Morality
examination to pass and obtain
scholarship in a university. Recall also Why not give the same punishment for
the Robinhood story. the same crimes?

c. The end does not justify the Aside from the purpose and
means. (The end or purpose does not circumstance which can lessen or
justify the means or manner) This is increase the culpability of a bad action,
almost the same with letter b. No there are also other factors which affect
matter how good the purpose is if the the manner or the reason why a person
manner or way or act is bad then it is committed such an act. Not all acts are
not morally allowed. done perfectly by the doer/agent. There
are the so-called kinds of human act or
Example: A student cheats during specifically called kinds of voluntary act
examination to pass and obtain
scholarship in a university. Recall also Human Acts
the Robinhood story. WILLFUL- KNOWN
KINDS OF VOLUNTARY ACT
d. An indifferent act may become 1. Perfect Voluntary act - the is act
morally good or bad. (depending on done with full knowledge and full
the purpose/intention) consent.
Example: To study law is in itself an 2. Imperfect V.A. – the act is done with
indifferent action. It becomes good some defect in the knowledge or
when inspired by the thought of consent.
alleviating human sufferings or making
a decent living. It becomes bad if it is 3. Simple V.A.- the act is done by the
intended to perform illegal or immoral agent because he/she simply likes
actions. doing it.

An elder brother who puts hot sauce on 4. Conditional V.A – the act is done
a cake before giving it to a begging with a condition. “if”
younger brother, so that the younger
5. Direct V.A - the act is intended by These factors can intervene and bar
the agent one’s actions from being human or
contribute to the reduction of the
6. Indirect V.A - the act is not intended
quality of a certain action. Since they
by the agent but an effect or result of
can bar one’s faculties like the mind in
the act which is directly intended.
performing a human act, these are
Example: I intentionally threw a stone
called impediments to human acts.
to the window but it bounced back and
These impediments reduce the quality
hit my playmates.
of human acts and so affects the
7. Actual V.A – the act is spontaneous; judgement or morality of human acts.
an act is a result of an intention done
1. Ignorance
here and now.
Ignorance – pertains to the lack of
8. Virtual V.A – an act done is a result
pertinent information as to the nature,
of a previous intention (which may have
circumstances and effect of a certain
been forgotten) – it is like the act is
action. Either in commission or
planned.
omission, the willful lack of initiative to
9. Habitual V.A – the act done is a properly understand the whole picture
result of habit. of the circumstance affects the moral
quality of an action.
10. Interpretative V.A. - an act
influenced by an intention which is Ignorance takes place when an
presumed (interpreted) to be present in individual consciously proceeds to act
an agent who lacks the ability to on a certain matter without due
express his actual intention. Example: consideration of the relevant o
A mute person is asking you necessary information related to it.
something through sign language, and Usually, this takes place when someone
you are the one who will interpret what unconsciously violates certain rules
he/she is asking and you did or gave it. and regulations. When asked to be
made responsible for the action
These kinds of voluntary act are great committed, one asserts that he/she
factors which will affect the judgement must not be held accountable since
of a certain action. he/she was unaware that such was a
violation. This example is a clear
Point for Reflection: Which of these manifestation on how ignorance
kinds of Voluntary Act is the most
culpable if the act committed is bad? Ignorance is classified into:
a. Invincible Ignorance – This refers
to a total ignorance of the person about
IMPEDIMENTS TO HUMAN ACTS the circumstance and other factors
Principle of Double Effect surrounding the action that she/he
committed. This total ignorance is
Human actions, though naturally a unintentional.
product of will and reason, are
sometimes influenced by many factors.
b. Vincible Ignorance – This is an • Bad action done under Affected
ignorance that can be Ignorance is totally culpable. In fact,
dispelled/removed or learned through the culpability could increase since the
ordinary efforts, conscientiousness and person just pretended his/her
proper diligence. There are two forms of ignorance
vincible ignorance:

2. Concupiscence:
• Crass Ignorance (lack of effort) –
Happens when inordinate passion
happens when a person exerts little
hinders one to exercise correct
effort to dispel his ignorance.
reasoning.
Passions are the emotional elements
• Affected Ignorance – is a willful act of such as pride, anger, love, joy, and the
asserting one’s ignorance in order to likes. Concupiscence happens when
plead innocence to a charge of guilt in these passions push the person in
doing or not doing an act. The act is doing a certain act without the
pretended. An example is a student intervention of reasoning or mind.
who pretends not to know the school’s
policy on proper haircut when
confronted by the guards. Examples: Suddenly punching someone
out of wrath, destroying someone’s
Morality of Actions done under
image out of envy, having pre-Marital
Ignorance:
sex with someone due to being in loved,
• Wrong actions done under Invincible etc.
ignorance is not culpable; because of
Two kinds of Concupiscence
one’s unintentional total ignorance.
(ante = before, consequent = after)
a. Antecedent Concupiscence – A
Example: A person who does not know
spontaneous inordinate passion
how to read and write caught for
influences an action before it is
jaywalking. You cannot penalize
controlled by the will. The act abruptly
him/her since he/she is totally
or suddenly happens. This is called
ignorant about the norm.
“gavva lang” in Ibanag.

• Wrong action done under Crass

For example, Juan was allegedly
Ignorance is culpable but the
running late for his class. When he
culpability can be lessened. This is so,
entered the school campus, the guard
since the person exerted little effort to
confiscated his ID for no apparent
dispel his/her ignorance despite the
reason. Out of anger, he cursed the
opportunities to do so.
guard.
b. Consequent Concupiscence – matter of life and death choices.
happens when the intellect is aware of Example is when your classmate
the inordinate passion and the will still demands something from you with his
choses to arouse the said passion and gun pointed at your head.
proceed with the act. So, it is pre-
meditated. Example: you got angry
with your classmates and after many Morality of Actions done under Fear:
hours or even a day, you did not calm
your anger and still wanted to punch Bad action done with light or grave fear
your classmates and you did it. are both culpable. This is because,
despite the presence of the threat, one
can still choose to do what he/she
prefers to do, although the consequence
Morality of Actions done under
can really affect the decision.
Concupiscence
• Bad actions done under Antecedent
Concupiscence are still culpable but the Point to ponder: Which is more
culpability can be lessened or can even culpable? Bad action done under light
be negated. This is so since the action fear or under grave fear? Which
was abrupt and so not intentional. culpability can be lessened? Bad action
• Bad actions done under Consequent done under light fear or under grave
Concupiscence are totally culpable. fear?
4. Violence

3. Fear 4. Violence – (physical attack) is the

application of physical force upon a
Fear – happens when the individual is resisting person to compel him/her to
threatened by impending danger. The do or not to do an act like protecting
existence of danger or threats can limit oneself and others. There are two
one’s ability to use the will and reason persons involve here, the one who
and merely acts base on the instinct to attacks and the one who defends
survive or overcome the situation. her/himself. What we judge here is the
There are two kinds of Fear. reaction of the one being attacked since
the act of the one who attacks is
understood as bad.
Two Kinds of Fear
Self-defense is a classic example for
a. Light Fear: The impending violence. With the presence of fear, one
danger or threat is light or somewhat has to protect himself/herself against
like remote. Example is, your classmate his/her perpetrator. Self-defense
tells you that he will slap you if you will means, there is no intention to kill
not give in to his demand. one’s perpetrator but only to defend
oneself.

b. Grave Fear: The impending

danger or threat is so serious like a
Morality of actions done under Search for the fact/s. Study what is the
violence issue behind one’s problems or
dilemmas and other related situations.
If you are on the act of defending
yourself against your perpetrator like a Think for alternatives. This is necessary
rapist or killer or kidnapper and if your proposed action is not clear or
unintentionally, you killed him/her, are not sure.
you culpable? Of course not, but if you
Others are to be considered for advice.
intended to kill your perpetrator while
Ask others’ advice or suggestions if you
defending yourself, then you are
are hard up.
culpable although your culpability can
be lessened. Pray for guidance and wisdom. Pray to
God for enlightenment about the issue
5. Habit
or problem.
5. Habit – Firm and stable behavior
One should apply STOP if one is
pattern of acting. An individual
doubting, confused, emotionally
naturally and consciously, although
disturbed, things are unclear etc.
most often unconsciously performs an
action, as a result of its repetitive General Moral Principle:
performance through time. With the
presence of habit, an individual act One should not act nor decide if one is
based on his/her repeated responses to doubting, confused, emotionally
situations. disturbed, problematic, things are
unclear and other same circumstances.
Good habits are called virtues while bad
habits are vices. Obviously, we only Point to ponder:
moralize bad habits and not the good What will happen or what could be the
ones. Examples of your habits is probable result if one acts immediately
speaking bad words as a reaction to when he/she is still confused,
situations, like “ko diablo” or “diablo ka problematic or controlled by passions?
ko” or “pesti”, or always causing trouble What is the worst thing that one can do
in a party when drunk, etc. if he will act under these
circumstances?

Morality of actions done under bad DOUBLE EFFECT

habit
Bad actions done because of habit are What is Double Effect?
culpable. The culpability is lessened
only when the person exerts utmost There are actions which have two
effort to free himself/herself from a effects (good and bad).
vicious habit.
One is allowed to do an act with two
effects (good and bad) under the
following conditions
The S-T-O-P Principle
1. The act must be good or at least
morally indifferent.
 2. The evil effect must not precede
the good effect or at least they
should happen simultaneously.
So, the good effect must come
first before the bad one if ever.
3. There must be a sufficient
reason to do the act. Sufficient to
do the act means like helping
one to escape death or escape
danger and the likes.
4. The intention of the agent is
honest. There should be no
other intention than to do good
like the ones mentioned as
sufficient reasons above.
An example of this is a
physician/doctor operating a pregnant
woman with the expected effects if ever
like the mother might die in the process
or the baby in her womb might die or
even the two might die. Point to ponder:
What should be the intention of the
physician in proceeding with the
operation? Should he/she intend to
save only the mother, or the baby, or
both, or kill both or what?