ETHICS

MODULE 5: HUMAN ACTS

I. Definition, Element and Classification of Human Acts

II. Morality of Human Acts and Sources of Morality

Time Frame: Nov. 15-26, 2021

OVERVIEW
This module focuses on classification and morality of Human Acts.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify whether acts are morally good or evil.
2. Justify the actions according to morality of human acts.
Learning Resources
• Computer / laptop / mobile phone / tablet
• Internet connectivity
• Word processing application (MS Word/WPS/Docs)
• Installed LMS Application (Lampara and Google Classroom)
• Installed video conferencing application (Zoom/Google Meet)
References:
Corpuz, Ronald M. et.al (2007). ETHICS: STANDARD OF HUMAN CONDUCT.Mindshapers
Co., Inc. Intramuros Manila.

Learning Expectations
1. Read and accomplish the activities in particular order so that you would be able to
appreciate the essence of the lesson.
2. Answer all questions and activities provided inside the boxes.
3. Use specific textual aids on the understanding of a text

LET’S START!

Begin your journey in this module by reading your materials below.

I. Definition, Element and Classification of Human Acts

Human Acts
It is normal for a brute to do some brutish act or an evil being to do an evil act. On the contrary,
man who is endowed with reason (the quality of man that separates him from the brutes) is not
normal for him as an agent of reason. An act that is not proper to man as a rational being is called
Act of Man and not a Human Act.
Man is an animal. That is, there are actions and activities of man in common with other forms
of animals. Such actions are eating, hearing, tasting, smelling, etc. These are called acts of man.
On the other hand, of all other forms of animals, man alone is endowed with personality. Man,
alone has the capacity to think and to decide the actions proper to him as a rational being. Human
acts are actions or activities that emanate from the rationality of man.

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Some examples of Human Acts are:
⚫ To vote a candidate
⚫ To decide
⚫ To teach
⚫ To love
⚫ To hate
⚫ To attend a party
⚫ To read, study, have a name

Elements of Human Act

As declared beforehand, not all acts are labelled human. To make an act human, it must
contain the following statements:
1. Knowledge. The agent of the act or the actor knows what he is acting. He knows its results,
good or bad. The act, in other words, is done deliberately.
2. Freedom. The person who does the action is not pressured to do or not to do the action. He
is free from all external forces beyond his control. To do the act out of fear makes the action
not his own. Human acts must be done in freedom.
3. Voluntaries. The agent does the act out of his own decision and will.
He does the act because he decides to do it. It emanates from his heart and reason.
The absence of one of these elements makes an act not human. As a result, since the action is
done freely, knowingly and voluntarily, man is responsible for such an act. He is responsible for
the result of the act whether it is good or bad, a punishment or a reward.
Classification of Human Acts
There are two classifications of human acts, ELICITED ACT and COMMANDED ACT. An
act is classified “elicited” if it begins and ends in the will without bodily involvement. While an
act is classified “Commanded” if it requires both mind and body. It is shortly called mind-body
act.
According to Paul Glenn, there are six elicited acts:
1. Wish. Generally, it is defined as a desire, or a longing for an objective impossible or possible
to realize. “I wish to become a millionaire.” “I wish to travel around the world.” “I wish to
be a celebrity.”
2. Intention. This I purpose or aim, a determination to act in a certain way, attainable or not but
not obligatory. For instance, a suggestion to gamble or to attend a party, all is not obligatory.
3. Consent. This is the affirmation of the will to go on the intention of the agent. For instance,
the agent affirms the suggestion to gamble or to attend a party.
4. Election. The agent chooses a way to carry out his intention, how to reach the place of the
party for instance, by taxi or any way around.
5. Use. After the mind has elected the means to carry out the intention, this time the mind uses
the means. Example, since the mind chooses a taxi to reach the place of the party, the agent
goes out and waits for a taxi by the road.
6. Fruition. This is from the word fruit or a result of the object being desired. The agent goes
to a party by taxi and finds himself refreshed and enjoying. The fruition is enjoyment.

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7.
Commanded Acts. These are the acts that involve body and mind. As classified, there are three
kinds.
1. Internal Acts. At first, it seems that it has no difference with the elicited act because it is also
solely in the mind of the agent. However, it requires the body to complete it. For example,
when you meditate, you use the mind and reason for a proper position that would guide you
through meditation. The searching for a proper position and the positioning itself requires the
body.
2. External Acts. These are the acts done by the body under the direction of the will. Examples
are running, eating, walking, etc. Although these acts are also the acts or activities of animals
which are classified as acts of man, they become Human Acts because they are done under
the command of the will. Other animals do the act but without direction of the will.
3. Mixed. This is the combination of the internal and external acts as the word suggests. For
example, when studying, on uses the mind and the body.

Now, let’s move on to the next lesson about the Morality of Human Acts and Sources of
Morality

II. Morality of Human Acts and Sources of Morality

Morality of Human Acts
When we say morality of Human Acts, we refer to the goodness or badness of an act. These
are what are called “morally good” and morally evil”.
When an act is done in accordance with the law of God and human reason that is attested to
by the conscience, the act is morally good. Example, Pedro knowing the Ten Commandments,
went out of his house to help the victims of a typhoon. Pedro is fulfilling the law of God to help
one’s neighbor, hence, it is morally good.
On the other hand, when Pedro went out of the house to steal the money and to rape the
daughter of his neighbor, he is violating the law of God. He is also violating his conscience. The
act is called morally evil.
Sources of Morality
The Morality of Human Acts depends on:
⚫ The object
⚫ The end or intention of the agent
⚫ The Circumstances

The Object
This is the finis operas or end of the act. Literally, it is the aim or goal of a certain action, to
make an act morally good, its object or aim must conform to the law of God or the
conscience of the agent or the doer of the action must attest to do it.
End or Intention of the Agent
If the object is the goal or aim of the agent, the end or intention is the means of attaining the
object.

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 Relativists or subjective moralists contend that the object is the factor that determines
whether our actions are morally good or morally evil. They maintain that the end justifies the
means. Even if the means is evil as long as the object is good, there is no sin.
But Christian teachings particularly those of the Roman Catholic forward that there are
intrinsically evil acts regardless of the object. Evil means cannot make a good result. This is
why the church never acknowledges abortion for the object of saving the mother. Killing itself is
evil and abortion, regardless of its object, is an act of killing, hence an evil.
Circumstances
These are the environment or conditions prevailing when the action is done. These are the
“who” “what” “where” “when” “with whom” “under what condition” and “why” the action is
performed.” What was the condition of the agent when he did the action” “Was the action done
out of fear?” “Was the stealing of bread by the boy done out of hunger?”
Circumstances including the result of the act contribute to the increasing or diminishing
moral goodness or badness of the human act. Examples are the amount of the stolen object and if
stealing was done out of hunger.
Good Acts and Evil Acts
A morally good act requires the goodness of the object, of the end, and of the circumstance
together. An evil end corrupts the action even if the object is good in itself such as praying and
fasting in order to be seen by men.
Direction: Read and analyse the given scenario.

Scenario
You are in charge of the petty cash at the office. However, a co-worker is responsible for
making a weekly trip to the bank to make the business deposit and obtain petty cash for the
following week. In a conversation with your mutual supervisor, you are asked if the increase in
the petty cash amount was enough. You, however, have not seen any additional money. You
realize your co-worker has been pocketing the additional money.

Questions:

1. Is this morally good or morally evil? Justify your answer.

Tell your supervisor you have neither asked for or nor received any additional petty cash and
that you suspect your co-worker is pocketing the money.

Answer: - I’ll tell my supervisor that I didn’t ask for or get any more petty cash, and that you
suspect one of my coworkers of pocketing it.

Is this morally good or morally evil? Justify your answer.

Tell your co-worker your suspicions and give them a chance to pay the money back.

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 Answer: - I'll tell my supervisor that I didn't ask for or get any more petty cash, and that you
suspect one of my coworkers of pocketing it.

s this morally good or morally evil? Justify your answer.

Say nothing and just wait to see what happens

Answer: - You are asked if the increase in the petty cash amount was sufficient in a
conversation with your mutual supervisor.

Congratulations and job well done!

A. Summarize your whole learning in this Course/Subject (ETHICS).

- As I learned during my study on this subject, ethics is a set of moral principles

(Ethics). I also studied the ethical teachings of Socrates, Aristotle, Christian
Ethics, St. Saint Augustine’s teachings, and Stoic ethical teachings. I researched
Thomas Aquinas’ varied teachings and actions. EXISTENTIALIST ETHICS is
another book where we encountered Jean Paul Sartre. He believed that the most
significant component of our existence is the existential crisis, which occurs
when you realize you are fundamentally alone in the cosmos. Soren Kierkegaard
was a reactionary to society’s depersonalization. He was a Danish philosopher
and religious thinker.

ed by:

GREZELLE R. IGNACIO
College Instructors

Checked by:
MYRNA V. LENON
BSCRIM Program Head

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