The Ends of Human Act

Fatima Nuestro-Bagnol
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Bansud-Campus
Man does not act aimlessly. His every
action is done for a purpose. The
purpose of human acts is significant
because it defines the nature of an
act and reveals judgment of the
doer.
 The meaning of an “end”

 End is the purpose or goal of an act.

 It is either the end of the act itself or the end of the doer.
END OF THE ACT- is the natural termination or completion of an activity.
• End of eating is nourishment; reading is comprehension; game of
basketball is scoring a goal; talking is communication.
• Actions are identified by their natural end.
• The act of buying differs from the act of selling although both
involve the exchange of commodity. The act of stealing differs from
the act of receiving a gift, although both actions put the doer in
possession of something.
The end of the doer
 Is the motive or reason why a person performs an act. A
person, for example eats either to appease hunger or to
indulge his appetite.
 A housewife saves money because she wants to buy an
appliance or to pay for a vacation.
 A person thinks first of a purpose before acting. When
the purpose is accomplished the person ceases to act.
Hence, the motive is said to be “first in intention” but last
in execution”. Actions are the means for fulfilling a
person’s wishes or intentions.
Kinds of End- the end of the doer is either
proximate & remote; intermediate and ultimate

The proximate end – is the purpose which the doer wishes

accomplish immediately. The remote end- is the purpose which
the doer wishes to accomplish sometime later. The proximate end of eating
is the satisfaction of hunger. Its remote end is the promotion of one’s health.

 The intermediate end is that which is sought as a means of obtaining

another thing. The ultimate end is that which is desired for its own
sake. The intermediate end may either lead to another intermediate or to
an ultimate end. The ultimate end completes an act and stops further
activity.
Examples
 A student may think of his graduation as his ultimate purpose.
 The series of activities which engage him in school, like
attending classes, writing reports, joining a club and passing
tests—are intermediate ends leading to the ultimate end of
obtaining an academic degree or diploma.
 The ultimate end is the drive that moves a person to act and
undertake even difficult and dangerous tasks. A series of
diverse actions finds meaning in relation to the ultimate end.
Our routine daily activities, for instance, are related to our
ultimate desire to live.
Action and Motivation
 The following principles describe human activity
1. Every action is performed for the sake of a definite end or purpose.
Man is a motivated animal. For him to act, he must first have a
motive. A motive may be instantaneous as when one stands up to
answer the doorbell, or when one picks up something from the floor.
Some motives are modest and inconsequential. Some are
significant and important. An act done for a purpose is said to be
deliberate or intentional. An act done without an intended purpose
is said to be accidental.
2. Every action is intended towards and ultimate end. Every action is a
move to accomplish something. The concept of action implies an
ultimate end. Which would satisfy the need of the doer. No sane
person would take a bus without wanting to go someplace. Every
traveler has a final destination.
3. Every doer moves himself towards an end
which he thinks suitable to him. Man does
not wish anything except that which is
beneficial or suitable to him. Hence, every
human act is a tendency towards what is
good, because only what is good is suitable
to man. Nobody desires evil for its own sake.
The desire for money, for example, induces
a thief to steal. Evil actions are done for the
sake of attaining something good.
The End as Good.
 Man acts in order to obtain something good to himself. Therefore,
the concept of good is synonymous to that end or purpose. Man
does not desire evil for its own sake. Only what is good could be
the end or purpose of an act, either the ultimate end or the
intermediate end.
 Aristotle defines “Good” as “anything which fits or suits a function”.
Food is good because it suits one’s taste, or need for nourishment.
Clothes are good because they fit the personality of the user, or
they provide comfort. In a higher level, actions are good
when they fit the moral integrity of a person.
 Those acts which fit human nature are said to be good. They are
“maka-tao”. Those acts which are unfit to human nature are evil.
They are “hindi maka-tao”.
 Evil which is presented to the mind as something good is
called an apparent good. For example, stealing is
desired as good because it is an opportunity for the
thief to have something of value for himself. Crimes are
committed, because the criminals regard their evil acts
as instrumental to getting something good. Thus, a
student would cheat during an examination in order to
pass the subject. A politician would wish his rival
candidate murdered because he wants to win the
election.
Kinds of Good

Essential and Accidental. An essential good

satisfy the need of a person as a human being. Food, clothing,
shelter, tools and education are essential goods. Accidental goods
is that which satisfies the want of a person because of his particular
situations. Expensive clothes big house, a flashy car are personal
wants of a rich man.

REAL AND APPARENT. Real good is anything which

has intrinsic value.. These could be things, activities, relationships, or
persons. An apparent good is an evil which is viewed subjectively as
something of value such as cigarettes, prohibited drugs and vices.
Perfective and non-perfective. Perfective
good is that which contributes to integral growth or development of a
person such as education, virtue, food, sports and medicines. Non-
perfective good is anything which merely contribute to the external
appearance or convenience of a person, such as expensive clothes,
money, title, or car.

Perfect and Imperfect. Anything lacking in

some qualities is imperfect. All material things are imperfect. A perfect
is a real good endowed with all essential qualities needed to satisfy a
need.
 Perfection is either absolute or relative. An absolute perfection means
complete in all aspects, which is what we mean when speaking of a
perfect circle or a perfect score. A relative perfection is complete
only in some aspects.
The Greatest Good
 Every human activity is a tendency towards the attainment of
something good. Not only individual actions are tending towards the
sum of all
acquisition of good, but human life itself, which is the

activities, is a movement towards the

possession of the greatest good or the
“summum bonum” in the words of Scholastic philosophers,
is that which is perfect in itself and capable of satisfying all human
desires. It is also the ultimate good, because it is the absolutely final
thing which is sought for its own sake.
 The purpose of human existence is the attainment of the greatest
good.

The greatest good, according to Aristotle,

is happiness. He writes: ‘By absolutely final, we mean that
which is sought for its own sake, and never as a means to something
else. Happiness seems to be something of that sort.
 We also pursue that for its intrinsic value never as a means; whereas
we pursue honor, pleasure, wisdom, and all the virtues both for their
own sakes (we would want them even if they lead to nothing
further) and for the sake of happiness, since we think we shall attain
happiness by means of them.
 But no one wants happiness as a means to these other things, or
indeed as a means to anything else at all.
The meaning of Happiness
 Happiness is either objective or subjective. Objectively, happiness
refers to something having intrinsic value and capable of satisfying a
human need. Subjectively, it s the psychological state of feeling contented
resulting from the attainment of that which is good in itself. The toy
(objective) makes the child happy (subjective.
 Happiness contributes to the perfection of a person. Hence happiness
is not just an emotion or something of value but a state of being. It is the
state of perfection arising from the possession of what is good. Just as the
possession of wealth makes an individual a rich man, the possession of the
greatest good makes a person perfect happy.
 Now, which is the greatest good that would completely fill up all of man’s
longing and desires?
What people desire.
 Some people regard money or the acquisition of wealth as the ultimate
aim of their life. While the desire is legitimate, money does not satisfy
human desire completely. The inordinate desire for rich makes one
avaricious and greedy. Wealth is a cause for worry for them who fear
losing it.
 Some people regard health and physical beauty as foremost
importance. Health of course, is necessary because it is a prerequisite
to a productive life. But health and physical beauty are easily lost to
illness and age.
 Some people indulge themselves in world pleasures. But pleasures in
themselves are limited by our natural capacity for them. They do not
last for long and often lead to unhappiness.. Eating so much causes
stomach ache if not unwanted weight or obesity. Imprudent
indulgence in liquor, tobacco, drugs or sex exposes one to illness and
death.
 Some people seek fame and power. But these things are
as perishable as the admired flowers in a vase. Fame
and popularity can easily be tainted by a rumor of
indiscretion. Power change hands as quickly and as
often as the direction of the wind.
 Some people would want to dedicate themselves to the
cultivation of science and arts. This is a worthy pursuit
which leaves a mark in the lives of other people. But
knowledge is not useful unless it becomes an instrument
for helping other people.
 Some people would consecrate themselves to the
religious life. But the practice of religion and the
cultivation of virtues are aimed at attaining spiritual
perfection.
Natural and Supernatural Happiness
 Natural happiness is that which is attainable by man through
the use of his natural powers.
 Supernatural happiness is that which is attainable by man
through his own powers aided by the infusion of grace from
God.
 Aristotle does not go beyond earthly life in his dissertation on
the ultimate end of man. Christian philosophers, notably St.
Augustine and St. Tomas Aquinas teach that since man’s
desire and tendency towards happiness is unlimited, nothing
short of the Absolutely Perfect good can satisfy it fully.
Therefore, only God in his infinite goodness is the greatest
good, the “summom bonum” of man. Man’s heart is restless
until it rests in God says, St. Augustine. But the perfect or
supernatural happiness is possible only in the afterlife.
Natural happiness says Buckley, consists in
the perfection that can be attained by
man through the employment of the body
and soul and the powers inherent in them;
intellect, will, internal and external sensory
powers, sense appetites, locomotion,
nutrition and growth
The ultimate Purpose
 The ultimate purpose of human life is the possession of the absolutely
greatest good. For Aristotle the object of natural happiness not a single
good, but an aggregate of all the goods that fit the nature of man as such.
The greatest good in this earthly life consists of all values both material and
spiritual, which contribute to man’s development as a human being.
Because these goods are multiple and varied, man has to ranked in a
hierarchy from the lowest to the highest.
 The highest good, according to Aristotle, pertains to the intellect. Thus he
preposes that the ultimate purpose of man in life is the contemplation of
truth. The fullness knowledge is attainable through practice of virtue.
 Aristotle states that “ even if happiness is not sent from heaven, but comes
through virtue and learning or training seems that it is one of the most
godlike things.
 The prize and end of virtue appears to be the best thing, something godlike
and blessed.
 Happiness will also be within the reach of everyone, since,
through learning and exercise, it can be obtained by all who
are not totally corrupted as regards virtue.
 It follows that perfect happiness which is absolute and lasting
is not possible in this life, since man’s natural powers are
inadequate to fulfill his needs. The power of the human
intellect fills to grasp the glory of God. But man may
approximate and anticipate perfect happiness by keeping
faith, by loving God and by neighbor, and by practicing
virtue. Doing good is happiness in itself.
ETHICAL THEORIES
 HIDONISM is based on the teaching of Epicurus who regards pleasure as
the ultimate good of man. According to him, pain is evil to be avoided.
And because some pleasures may also cause pain one must be choosy
about his pleasure. Contrary to the popular notion, Epicurus does not
recommend indulgence in sensual pleasures. But the word “hedonist” is
descriptive of a pleasure-seeking individual, a low life.
 ARISTOTLELIANISM proclaims the supremacy of reason over man’s lower
appetites. Thus, the highest good of man is the contemplation of divine
truths. The reasonable life is that which is in accordance with temperance,
nothing by excess and nothing by defect. This is the Golden Mean.
 THOMISM is based on the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas. It hold s that the
ultimate purpose of man consists in the Beatific Vision of God which
however is possible only in the next life and only with the aid of supernatural
grace.
 UTILITARIANISM defines pleasure as that which gives the greatest
happiness for the greatest number of people. John Stuart Mill says that
pleasure itself is good, but even better when it experienced by the most
number of people.
 EVOLUTIONISM proceeds from the biological theories of Charles Darwin.
According to him, the greatest good is the rearing of the greatest number
of individuals, with perfect faculties, under given circumstances.
Accordingly, moral values are factors of survival, either of the individual or
that of society. Inspired by this theory, Communism looks forward to the
evolution of a “classless society.”
 EXISTENTIALISM laments the inadequacy of reason to guide man in the
complexities of life. The attainment of personal fulfillment which is the
ultimate purpose of one’s life depends largely on one’s faith and personal
conviction. Existentialism is either theistic or atheistic. No table existentialists
are Blaise Pascal, Soren Kierkegaard, Karl Jaspers and Jean Paul Sartre.
Identify the following:
Accidental
1.A theory that defines pleasure as that which gives the greatest
Actions
happiness for the greatest number of people. End
2.It is said to be the first intention but last in execution. Ultimate end
3.It laments the in adequacy of reason to guide man in the complexities Hidonism
Evolutionism
of life. Happiness
4.Evil viewed as good. Existentialism
5.It is synonymous to that of end or purpose. It fits a function. Good
Greatest Good
6.Purpose which the doer wishes to accomplish immediately.
Imperfect good
7.An end desired for its own sake. Essential Good
8.The Purpose of an act. Perfective Good
9.The means for fulfilling person’s wishes. Non Perfective good.
Utilitarianism
10.An act done without an intended purpose. Proximate end
11.It satisfies the need of a person as a human being. Motive
12.Anything lacking in some qualities. Apparent Good
The end of doer
13. Summum Bonum.
Intermediate end
14.Greatest Good according to Aristotle. Perfect
15.A theory that proposes, Pleasure as the ultimate good of man.
Answer Briefly

Why is the end the same as that which is

good?
What is the significance of our actions in
relation to the ultimate end?
How do our moral acts relate to the
ultimate purpose of life?
 Identify the following:
1. A theory that defines pleasure as that which gives the greatest happiness for
the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism
2. It is said to be the first intention but last in execution. MOTIVE
3. It laments the in adequacy of reason to guide man in the complexities of life.
EXISTENTIALISM
4. Evil viewed as good. APPARENT GOOD
5. It is synonymous to that of end or purpose. It fits a function. GOOD
6. Purpose which the doer wishes to accomplish immediately. Proximate end
7. An end desired for its own sake. ULTIMATE END
8. The Purpose of an act. End
9. The means for fulfilling person’s wishes. Actions
10. An act done without an intended purpose. Accidental.
11. It satisfies the need of a person as a human being. Essential Good.
12. Anything lacking in some qualities. IMPERFECT GOOD
13. Summum Bonum. Greatest Good.
14. Greatest Good according to Aristotle. Happiness.
15. A theory that proposes, Pleasure as the ultimate good of man. Hidonism
END