st1-2-ques06

Article 1: Voluntariness in Human Acts

• It seems: Voluntariness is defined as originating internally, but human acts depend on external principles, suggesting a lack of voluntariness.

• To the contrary: Key clarification that some acts derive principles from the agent (e.g., self-motivation).

• I respond: Cognition of an intended end qualifies an act as voluntary, bolstering the presence of voluntariness in human action.

Article 2: Voluntariness in Brute Animals

• It seems: The will is based on reason, thus absent in non-rational beings.

• To the contrary: Perfect vs. Imperfect Cognition: Animals may possess imperfect understanding leading to a type of voluntariness distinct from humans.

• I respond: Brute animals, while lacking complete rationality, exhibit a form of voluntariness, as their choices reflect an awareness of their desires and environmental factors.

Article 3: Voluntariness in the Absence of an Act

• It seems: Voluntariness seems impossible without an act to reference.

• To the contrary: There can be voluntariness in choosing not to act or will, distinguishing between direct and indirect effects of will.

• I respond: Inaction can still reflect a voluntary choice, where a decision to abstain from action stems from deliberate reasoning based on potential outcomes.

Article 4: Violence and the Will

• It seems: External forces may compel the will.

• To the contrary: Types of Will Acts: Direct vs. Commanded. The latter can be coerced by external forces while the former cannot.

• I respond: Violence can influence, yet there's a distinction between different types of will acts. Direct acts of will maintain a degree of independence from coercive forces.

Article 5: Violence as Cause of Involuntariness

• It seems: Violence negates voluntariness.

• To the contrary: Violence can negate voluntariness but only under certain conditions (acts commanded by the will can be coerced).

• I respond: Not all acts lose voluntariness due to violence. Some actions can still be seen as voluntary if they arise from an individual’s decision-making in highly stressful or violent circumstances.

Article 6: Fear and Involuntariness

• It seems: Fear leads to involuntariness.

• To the contrary: Fear leads to voluntary actions taken to avoid a perceived evil.

• I respond: Fear has a mixture of voluntary and involuntary components, as individuals may take deliberate steps guided by fear while also feeling constrained.

Article 7: Concupiscence's Role

• It seems: Concupiscence contributes to involuntariness.

• To the contrary: Concupiscence drives voluntary actions, not involuntariness.

• I respond: Unlike fear, concupiscence is linked to the will’s inclination to act, showcasing the human tendency to pursue pleasure or desire willingly despite potential consequences.

Article 8: Ignorance as a Cause

• It seems: All ignorance leads to involuntariness.

• To the contrary: Not all ignorance leads to involuntariness, particularly if voluntary ignorance is present.

• I respond: The nature of ignorance affects its role in voluntariness; intentional lack of knowledge can be a choice that influences moral responsibility.