The structure of human action

reflections on summa theologiae

Ralph McInerny

pp. 15-33

Using the example of buying a plane ticket with a credit card, it is emphasized that there is a plurality of will acts. The constituents of voluntary acts depend on will as rational appetite, a desire consequent on a knowledge: the human act is a knowing wanting. The constituent will acts bears an end or aim and the means of achieving that end. Free willing requires a capacity which is in potency in two ways: to act or not to act; to do this as opposed to that. When it intends the end, there is an object before the mind and will, then enjoyment appears, as an anticipation of the delight of having it in reality. Among the means to the end, three acts of will bearing on means can be distinguished: choice, consent and use, with the company of counsel, intelectual activity which presides over willing the means to the end. The will acts bearing on the end presuppose the presentation of the object by mind; the inquiry into ways and means by mind presupposses the intention of the end by will. The acts of will bearing on end and means are elicited voluntary acts, acts of the will itself; other acts are voluntary insofar as they are commanded by will. Bodily organs are instruments of the powers of the soul, and the organs come under the sway of reason to the degree the powers do. And there is a moral moment: in virtue of what are human acts good or bad?

Publication details

Full citation:

McInerny, R. (1991). The structure of human action: reflections on summa theologiae. Daimon Revista Internacional de Filosofia 3, pp. 15-33.

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