Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

HUMAN ACT
AND
ACT OF MAN

MARY JOSEPH E. OCO

 ETHICS
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the
systematic questioning and critical examination of
the underlying principles of morality

also called moral philosophy, the discipline concerned

with what is morally good and bad and morally right
and wrong.

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 ETHICS
A MORAL AGENT is a person
who has the ability to discern
right from wrong and be held
accountable for his or her own
actions. Moral agents have a
moral responsibility not to
cause unjustified harm.

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 ETHICS
A MORAL DECISION is a choice made
based on a person’s ethics, manner,
character, and what they believe is
proper behavior. These decisions tend to
affect not only our own well-being, but
the well-being of others

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 HUMAN ACT
Actions done
CONSCIOUSLY and
FREELY by the
agent/or by man
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 HUMAN ACT
ESSENTIALS QUALITIES/ ELEMENTS
OF HUMAN ACTS
1. Knowledge of the act
2. Freedom
3. Voluntariness
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 HUMAN ACT
ESSENTIALS QUALITIES/ ELEMENTS OF
HUMAN ACTS
1. Knowledge of the act
 one is aware and conscious of his/her
actions, his/senses are active as well as the
reasons and consequences of his actions.
 person is mindful of action

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 HUMAN ACT
ESSENTIALS QUALITIES/ ELEMENTS OF HUMAN ACTS
2. Freedom
 does acts on his own initiative and choice
without being forced by another person or
situation
Doer is responsible for his actions
Acknowledge his or her actions together
with the reasons for such action
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 HUMAN ACT
ESSENTIALS QUALITIES/ ELEMENTS OF HUMAN ACTS
3. Voluntariness
 doer consents to the act,

accepting it as her own and

assuming responsibility for its
consequences
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 ACT OF MAN
Actions beyond one’s
consciousness; not
dependent on the intellect
and the will .

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 ACT OF MAN
ESSENTIALS QUALITIES/ ELEMENTS
OF HUMAN ACTS
1. done without Knowledge
2. without consent
3. involuntary
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 ACT OF MAN
Two Categories of acts of Man
1. NATURAL INVOLUNTARY ACTIONS
- These are action of the man that are performed
intuitively or involuntary
Example
Blinking of eyes, digestion
perspiration and beating of the heart
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 ACT OF MAN
Two Categories of acts of Man
2. NATURAL VOLUNTARY ACTIONS
- Are actions that are within the control of man’s
will but only some period of time
Example
Eating, sleeping and walking

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 Aristotle’s Distinction of Voluntary and
Involuntary Actions

Voluntary Actions - these are

acts originating from the individual
performing the act using knowledge
about the situations of the act.

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 Aristotle’s Distinction of Voluntary and
Involuntary Actions
1.Classifications of Voluntary Actions
A.Voluntary – actions are performed from will and
reason.

B. Related to Compulsion - it is considered as

mixed of voluntary and involuntary. It is more
voluntary if the desire and choice has been
performed and involuntary if it has considered
preferences or alternatives.
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
example: You are asked to perform a
crime and your options are; either
you do it and you family survives or
you don’t do it but your family will
be murdered.

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

 Aristotle’s Distinction of Voluntary and
Involuntary Actions
2. Involuntary Actions – are acts
done under
a)force or coercion and
b) ignorance where the doer failed
to understand the effect and feels
sorry on the result
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 Classifications of Involuntary Actions

A. Under Compulsion – circumstances

which are beyond the control of the
agent and contributes none to the
action.

Example: A person was kidnapped, hence

impossible to resist.
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
 Classifications of Involuntary Actions

B. Through Ignorance of Particular

Circumstances.
Example:

A man steals and ignorant of the law,

arrow or gun shot by mistake
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person