The Morally Good Act

A morally good act is that which sound in all aspects – in its nature, motive, and circumstances. In the
Scriptures, the morally upright is a just man, one who weights his actions in relation to what the law
demands, to what the circumstances would allow, and to what fits his stature as a rational being. A
morally good action, therefore, is a just act – “makatarungan”.

We also speak of it as “maka-tao”, or “maka-Diyos”, indicating that such action is fair to the other
person and in accordance with the Will of God.

The Relevance of Laws

Laws mandate some actions as prohibited and others as permitted and required. We may therefore
consider laws as determinants of human behavior. Some people do not do what is good unless they are
forced to. St. Thomas points out that laws are made for those who are weak in character.

Society adopts laws to protect its members from themselves or from those who might want to hurt
them. By prescribing punishments for transgressions, laws encourage and compel people to act for the
good of all. Everyone should obey the law or risk being punished. As authorities would put it – “dura
lex, se lex”, and everyone must obey.

The Definition of Law

Law, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is an ordinance of reason, promulgated for the common good
by one who has charge of society.

Laws are “ordinance of reason” because they are results of serious study, deliberation, or public debate.
They are “promulgated” because they are made known to people who are bound to observe them. They
are “for the common good” because the purpose of the law is the general welfare of the people. They
are enacted “by who has charge of society” because only those who have legitimate authority to govern
may pass laws.

Kinds of Law

1. Divine Positive Laws are those made known to men by God, like the Decalogue given to
Moses. We also call them moral laws because they are concerned with moral acts. Violation of
these laws constitutes a sin.

2. Human Positive Laws are those made by legitimate human authority, such as the laws enacted
by the State or the Church. Human positive laws are intended to preserve peace and order and to
direct members to work towards the common good. They may also have as their object the
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 moral acts. Violation of these laws constitutes an illegal act. The Constitution, the Civil Code,
the Revised Penal Code, embody the laws of the Philippines. The Code of Canon Law embodies
the laws of the Catholic Church.

3. Affirmative and Negative Laws. Both divine and human law positive laws are either
affirmative or negative. Affirmative laws are those that require the performance of an act, like
that of giving respect to parents and that of paying taxes when due. Negative laws are those that
prohibit the performance of an act, like the prohibition against smoking in designated public
places.