MODIFIERS OF HUMAN ACTS
Concupiscence/Passion
Antecedent Concupiscence
Consequent Concupiscence
Fear
Grave Fear
Slight Fear
Violence
Perfect Violence
Physically Perfect Violence
Morally Perfect Violence
Imperfect Violence
Habit
1. Concupiscence
- Strong sexual desire; lust. Simply, Passion
PASSION
- are either tendencies away, from under undesirable or harmful things.
Positive emotions, the former include love, desire, delight, hope and bravery
Negative emotions, the latter include hatred, horror, sadness, despair, fear and anger.
TYPES OF PASSION (Concupiscence)
Antecedent Passion – are those that precede an act.
Consequent Passion – are those that are intentionally aroused and kept.
PRINCIPLES OF PASSION (Concupiscence)
Antecedent passions do not always destroy voluntariness, but they diminish accountability for the resultant act.
Consequent passions do not lessen voluntariness, but may increase accountability.
2. FEAR
- Is the disturbance of the mind of a person who is confronted by an impending danger or harm to himself or loved ones.
- Is an instinct for self- preservation.
TYPES OF FEAR
Grave Fear – aroused by the presence of a danger.
That is regarded by most people as serious.
That is judged to be serious by the one concerned.
Slight Fear – aroused by a danger.
That is not serious.
PRINCIPLES OF FEAR
Acts done with fear are voluntary.
Acts done out of fear, however, great, is simply voluntary, although it is also conditionally voluntary.
Acts done because of intense fear or panic are involuntary.
3. VIOLENCE
- Refers to any physical force exerted on a person by another free agent for the purpose of compelling said person to act against his will.
- In cases where the victim gives complete resistance, the violence is classified as perfect violence.
- However, if the victim offers insufficient resistance, the violence classified as imperfect violence.
TYPES OF VIOLENCE
Perfect Violence
Physically Perfect Violence
In which all possible forms of resisting is utilized
If a woman walking along a dark street at night is attacked, and she attempts to fight of the attackers with all the physical powers at her command, she has been the victim of physically perfect violence.
Morally Perfect Violence
Is that in which all powers of resistance should be used but not employed for a good reason.
A man being robbed attempts to fight the robber but soon realizes that further assistance will probably result in his death.
Imperfect Violence – is that in which some resistance is shown but not as much as should be.
A Stenographer who is working after hours in an almost empty building is approached by the department head. The man, suddenly filled with lustful intentions, makes certain rough and violent advances. The young woman for a moment puts up some resistance and feels that additional resistance might terminate the incident. However, she quickly ceases resistance and gives in to the man. The stenographer is the victim of imperfect violence.
PRINCIPLES OF VIOLENCE
External actions, or commanded actions, performed by a person subjected to violence, to which reasonable resistance has been offered, are involuntary and are not accountable.
Elicited acts, or those done by the will alone, are not subject to violence and are therefore voluntary.
Moral Principles Concerning Violence
Regarding perfect violence, the moral principle is this: that which is done from perfect violence is entirely involuntary, and so in such cases there is no moral responsibility.
If an individual is a victim in the absolute sense of the word, no sensible person condemn him. If the victim makes a judgment that resistance is utterly useless, he need not resist. There is no obligation to do what is useless.
Regarding imperfect violence: that is which done under the influence of imperfect violence is less voluntary, and so the moral responsibility is lessened but not taken away completely.
4. HABITS
- "Is a lasting readiness and facility, born of frequently repeated acts, for acting in a certain manner."
- Are inclination to perform some particular action acquired by repetition, and characterized by a decrease power of resistance and an increase facility of performance.
- Sometimes called second nature; something deeply embedded in an individual, but ingrained by being acquired not being inborn.
- Repeated actions by performed by the agent.
VIRTUE – Disposes to God
VICE – Disposes one to Evil
PRINCIPLE OF HABITS
Action done by force of habit are voluntary in cause, unless a reasonable effort is made to counteract the habitual inclination.
