A.

Distinction of Action

Human acts are the fundamental foundation of morality which means that it is through actions
that we show how moral/ethical we are; it is through actions that express our moral
responsibility. However, not all actions are of the same nature or characteristic and so with their
role in the realm of morality; the walking is different from blinking of eyes, the former being
voluntary while the latter is involuntary. In other words, there are actions that we do consciously
because of clear purpose or intention while there are actions that we do unconsciously because
they are part or our autonomic bodily functions or they simply are acquired mannerisms. To
further understand human actions, we have the following distinction:

1.​ ​Human Acts – ​acts which are free and voluntary; acts that are done with
knowledge and consent; acts which are proper to man as man - because of all
animals, he alone has knowledge and freedom of the will; acts which are under
man’s control, and for which he is responsible for its consequences; acts of which
man is the master and has power of doing or not doing as he pleases.

2.​ ​Acts of Man​ – acts that are usually referred to as ‘ordinary’ and they are bodily

actions, or movements, performed without deliberations and in the absence of

will. Examples of these are the blinking of our eyelids, breathing, sneezing and
others.

B. Distinction of Human Actions

These distinctions apply only to ‘Human Acts’. It is at this juncture that we can further
classify, or qualify, human actions in relation to morality. The situation (time, place and
condition) in which a human action occurs can also be ascribed as ‘moral event’.

1.​ ​Moral Actions – actions or events which require the goodness of the object chosen, the
intention or the end in view, and of the circumstances together. Moral actions are deemed to
be good as one performs in accordance with the moral rules or codes of the society.

2.​ ​Immoral actions – actions or areas of interest where moral categories do apply but

considered to be evil, sinful, or wrong according to the codes of ethics. Consciously telling a
lie, graft and corruption, cheating during quizzes and examinations, gluttony, taking in drugs
or poison with the intention to commit suicide are just few examples of an immoral action.

3.​ ​Amoral Actions - actions or areas of interest exhibiting indifference. These are, at times,

manifested in the absence of knowledge, freedom and voluntariness on the part of the
person doing the action. Examples: a young child who speaks bad words ( as a way of
mimicking adults), an Aeta who just came from the mountain obstructing the flow of traffic in
a city, or a man accidentally entering the ladies comfort room.