Ethics as Moral Philosophy

Ethics as Moral Philosophy

  • The discussion is centered around ethics as a significant aspect of moral philosophy.

Culpable and Inculpable

  • This section differentiates between actions that are blameworthy (culpable) and those that are not (inculpable).

Acts of Man vs Human Acts

  • Acts of Man: Refers to involuntary actions, such as reflexes.

  • Human Acts: Actions performed with deliberation and volition; the focus of moral scrutiny.

Other Examples

  • Reflex Actions:

    • Blinking of the eye

    • Punching someone involuntarily

    • Slipped writing (involuntary motion)

Human Acts

  • Distinction in voluntary acts: the principle of action originates within the agent vs outside influences. (ST I-II, q. 6, a. 1)

  • Voluntariness: Essential for classification as human acts, requires an understanding of the end pursued with two forms of knowledge: imperfect and perfect.

    • Perfect Knowledge: Involves full understanding of the goal and the relation of means to that goal. (ST I-II, q. 6, a. 2)

Human Actions and Aquinas' Moral Theory

  • Aquinas emphasizes that human actions are defined by intention and volition.

  • Distinction from reflex actions: only human actions pursue a goal consciously.

  • Hallmark: Freedom of choice in human actions (Pilsner, J., The Specification of Human Actions in St. Thomas Aquinas, 9).

The Will in Human Actions

  • The will is self-determining and allows for the pursuit of an end without external coercion. Free will endows moral responsibility on human actions. (Pilsner, J., The Specification of Human Actions in St. Thomas Aquinas, 9).

Six Stages of Willing

  1. Willing Simply Considered

    • Voluntas: Preliminary stage before action, no definitive pursuit yet; just attraction to a good (Pilsner, J., 10).

  2. Consent

    • The agent evaluates means to achieve ends; ‘useful goodness’ identifies viable options (Pilsner, J., 11-12).

  3. Intention

    • Commitment occurs when a viable means is recognized; a shift from mere recognition to intent to act (Pilsner, J., 12).

  4. Choice

    • The decisive movement toward a selected means to achieve the chosen end (Pilsner, J., 13).

  5. Use

    • Application of chosen means in action; anything within capability can contribute to action's execution (Pilsner, J., 14).

  6. Enjoyment

    • The culmination where the end is attained, corresponding to delight in achieving the goal (Pilsner, J., 15).

Three Determinants of Morality

  • For an action to be morally good, all three determinants must be in harmony: Object, Intention, and Circumstance.

1. Object

  • The actual act performed defines its moral character; some actions align or misalign with human dignity (August 7, 2011).

2. Intention

  • The motive behind actions. A good intention can never justify an objectively evil act (August 7, 2011).

3. Circumstance

  • Contextual elements affecting the moral quality of actions; they do not change the nature of the act but can influence culpability (August 7, 2011).

Examples of Morality Determinants

  • Charitable Giving

    • Object: Giving money

    • Intention: Altruism vs personal gain

    • Circumstance: Context of donation amount

  • Other Actions

    • Murder, cheating, lying, honesty, courage – examples that illustrate varying degrees of moral implications.

Human Actions and Moral Life

  • Understanding that human actions are intertwined with intermediary means leading to a final end. Commitment to a last end is essential.

  • Happiness (Beatitudo): Identified by Thomas as the ultimate end of human action that all beings inherently seek (Pilsner, J., 18).

Perfect Happiness

  • Attainment of happiness linked to divine presence; truly fulfilled happiness awaits in the afterlife (Pilsner, J., 19-20).

Happiness in Present Life

  • Present happiness may derive from various sources but is considered less complete than the perfect state (Pilsner, J., 23-24).

Happiness in Goods Other Than God

  • Temporal goods provide partial satisfaction but do not equal the fulfillment found in God (Pilsner, J., 27-28).

  • Virtuous actions align with God’s divine will, illustrating the connection between moral actions and divine law.