THE HUMAN PERSON AND HUMAN ACTS

Human Act

A human act is one that proceeds from the deliberate free will of man. It is an act that is deliberately and knowingly performed by one having the use of reason.

An act of man is one that is not dependent upon intellect and free will. It does not stem from the faculties which are peculiar to man, namely, intellect and will.

For an act to be considered a human act, it must possess the following essential attributes:

1) It must be performed by a conscious agent who is aware of what he is doing and of its consequences. 2) It must be performed by an agent who is acting freely, that is, by his own volition and powers.

3) It must be performed by an agent who decides willfully to perform the act.

Elements Determining the Morality of the Human Act

1) The act itself/ Object 2) Purpose/ End - reason for which the act is performed
- intention of the agent - purpose does not change the morality of an act

3) Circumstances - factors distinct from the act itself and from the purpose, which may affect the morality of the act - circumstances alter cases

Circumstances are conditions outside the act that influence or affect the act by increasing or lessening its voluntariness or freedom, and thus affecting the morality of the act.
circumstances alter cases * circumstances must be weighed by a careful moral judgment.

Circumstances can be:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Person (Who the person) Place (Where the place) Time (When the time) Manner (How the manner) Condition of the Agent (Why the condition of the person) 6) What (Thing the thing itself) 7) The Means (What means/help the means)