MORAL ACT
Discerning the morality of Human Acts
The Human Act and Its Morality
• Every human act has a moral quality: it can be good,
evil, or indifferent.
• The morality of an act depends on three constitutive
elements:
1. Object (what is done)
2. Intention (why it is done)
3. Circumstances (the context in which it is done)
• For an act to be morally good, all three must be
good. If even one is evil, the act becomes morally
flawed.
1. Object (the “what”)
• The concrete action chosen by the
will; the “matter” of the act.
• Key point: The object gives the act its moral
species (e.g., telling the truth vs. lying).
• Example: Donating money to the poor (object =
almsgiving).
• Note: Some objects are intrinsically evil (e.g.,
murder, adultery, lying). No intention or circumstance
can make them good.
2. Intention (the “why”)
• The purpose or motive of the acting person;
the “end” sought.
• Key point: Intention shapes the moral value but cannot
override the object.
• Example: Giving money to the poor (object) out of genuine
charity (intention = love of neighbor).
• Warning: A good intention cannot justify an evil object (the end
does not justify the means).
• Counter-example: Lying (evil object) to protect a friend (good
intention) remains morally wrong.
3. Circumstances (the “how, when,
where, who”)
• The surrounding conditions that affect the act’s
gravity and responsibility.
• Key point: Circumstances can increase or lessen culpability,
but they cannot change an evil act into a good one.
• Example 1: Stealing ₱50 vs. ₱50,000 (circumstance = amount)
affects gravity.
• Example 2: A student cheating on an exam under peer pressure
(circumstance = coercion) may lessen responsibility, but
the act remains wrong.
Integrative Principle
All three must align:
• Good Object + Good Intention + Good
Circumstances = Morally Good Act
• If any one is evil, the act is morally
compromised.
• Formula: “Goodness comes from the whole,
evil from any defect.”
CASE ANALYSIS
GENERAL QUESTION:
In every situation, determine whether the human act moral or not. What makes it
moral or immoral? What element[s] are being compromised, if applicable?
Explain.
1. The White 2. The Show- 3. The 4. The 5. The Drunk
Lie Off Donor Desperate Hurtful Truth Driver
A student lies A wealthy Theft A student A young man
to a professor, alumnus A father steals reveals a drinks at a
saying they donates a rice from a classmate’s party with
were sick, to large sum to store to feed embarrassing friends, then
avoid penalty the school but his starving secret in front drives home.
for a late only to have children. of others,
paper. his name though the
engraved on a information is
building. true.
Synthesis and Reflection
Compromised
Case Why It Matters
Element
Intrinsically evil act cannot be
White Lie Object
justified
Show-Off
Intention Pride corrupts a good act
Donor
Desperate Evil act with reduced
Object
Theft culpability
Hurtful Truth Intention Malice turns truth into harm
Context makes neutral act gravely
Drunk Driver Circumstances wrong