Modifiers of Human Act

Background Knowledge:
The ideal is for man to act deliberately, that is, with perfect voluntariness. This is not
always possible though. Oftentimes, a certain degree of doubt or reluctance accompanies an act. At
other times, emotions hold sway, propelling action with the swiftness of an impulse.
Discussion:
Factors that influence man’s inner disposition towards certain actions are called “ modifiers
“ of human acts.
They affect the mental or emotional state of a person to the extent that the voluntariness involved in
an act is either increased or decreased. This is significant because the accountability of the act is
correspondingly increased or decreased.
We site this principle: The greater the knowledge and the freedom, the greater the voluntariness and
the moral responsibility. ( Panizo: 38 )
The Modifiers
Man does not act in a vacuum. He is organism responding and reacting to stimulus.
His total make-up is the sum of all experiences. His personal background, education, social
upbringing, political persuasion, religion, and personal aims – contribute largely to his development
and behavioral preferences.
1. Ignorance
2. Passions
3. Fear
4. Violence
5. Habit
Other modifiers: hypnoticism, brainwashing, mental conditioning, cultural imposition

1) IGNORANCE – is the absence of knowledge which a person ought to possess.
“ Ignorance of the law excuses no one “, implies that one should not act in the state of
ignorance and that one who has done wrong may not claim ignorance as a defense.
a. Vincible Ignorance – can easily be reminded through ordinary diligence and reasonable efforts
Under this type of ignorance is Affected ignorance – this is the type which a person
keeps by positive efforts inorder to escape responsibility or blame.
b. Invincible Ignorance – is the type which a person possesses without being aware of it, or having
awareness of it. Lacks the means to rectify it.
Principles: a.Invincible ignorance renders an act involuntary.
b.Vincible ignorance does not destroy, but lessens the voluntariness and the
corresponding
accountability over the act.
c.Affected ignorance, though it decreases voluntariness, increases the
accountability over the
resultant act.
2) PASSIONS – or concupiscence, are either tendencies towards desirable objects, or tendencies
away from undesirable or harmful things.
a. Positive emotions - tendencies towards desirable objects
Example: love, desire, delight, hope, bravery
b. Negative emotions - tendencies away from undesirable or harmful things
Example: hatred, horror, sadness, despair, fear, anger
Passions are psychic responses. As such, They are neither moral or immoral. However, man
is bound to regulate his emotions and submit them to the control of reason.
Antecedent – are those that precede an act. It may happen that a person is
emotionally aroused to
perform an act.
Antecedent Passions – predispose a person to act.
Example: Love may induce one to make numerous and lengthy phone
calls to his sweetheart, or,
to plot the murder of a rival.
Principle : Antecedent passions do not always destroy voluntariness, but
they diminish accountability for the reluctant act. Thus , the so-called “ crimes of
passion “ are voluntary. But insofar passions interfere with the freedom of the will,
one’s accountability is diminished.
Consequent Passions – are those that are intentionally aroused and kept.
Voluntary in cause, the result of the will playing strings of emotions.
Principle : Consequent passions do not lessen voluntariness, but may
even increase accountability.
3) FEAR – is the disturbance of the mind of a person who is confronted by an impending danger or
harm to himself or loved ones.
Fear – is an instinct for self-preservation
Fear modifies the freedom of the doer, inducing him/her to act in a sertain predetermined
manner, often without his full consent.
1. Acts performed with fear – fear is a normal response to danger
Actions are voluntary, because the doer is in full control of his faculties an acts in in
spite of his fear.
Example: climbing a cliff, flying an airplane though a storm, diving for pearls,
arresting a notorious killer
1. Doing something out of fear, or because of fear – fear here, becomes a positive force
compelling a person to act without careful deliberation
Example: fear new experiences such as, embarking on a long journey, being left
alone in a strange place, being asked to speak before a group of people.
Principle : 1. Acts done with fear are voluntary.
2.Acts done out of fear, however great, is simply
voluntary, although it is also
conditionally voluntary.
3. Acts done because of intense fear or panic are
involuntary.
* Intimidating or threatening a person with harm is an unjust act. Legally speaking,
actions done out of fear are invalid acts.
Example: Contracts entered into out of fear are voidable, meaning, they can
later on be annulled. It is grossly unfair to oblige any person to fulfill a
contract obtained by force or threat.
4) 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.
Example: bodily torture, maltreatment, isolation, mutilation
Principle : 1. 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.
2. Elicited acts, or those done by the will alone, are not subject to
violence and are therefore voluntary.
5) HABITS – as defined Glenn. “ is a lasting readiness and facility, born of frequently
repeated acts, for acting in a certain manner. “
HABITS are acquired inclinations towards something to be done. They assume the role of a
second nature, moving one who has them to perform certain acts with relative ease.
“ HABIT-FORMING “ refer to certain experiences shows how easy it is for one to acquire a
habit. It also implies that a habit is not that easy to overcome or alter. It requires a strong-
willed person to correct a habit successfully within a limited period of time.
Principle : Actions done by force of habit are voluntary in cause, unless, a
reasonable effort is made to counteract the habitual inclination.

Action and Emotion
Man does not act the way a robot does – without feeling or emotion. In doing his
act, man does not only evoke certain sentiments, but his decision or intention to perform is
swayed by his emotions.
Emotions – are generally instinctive in origin. Neither the degree of their intensity, clarity, or
awareness makes them human acts to be judged as good or evil. They become good or evil
by the attitude of the person manifesting them. Man’s thoughts and actions are colored by
his emotions.
Refinement of Emotions
Ethics deals with emotions as factors affecting human motivation and behavior.
Instead of repressing them, it calls for their refinement. This means that man is expected to
act not only with his mind and body, but precisely with his heart and soul.
Moral perfection comes from within. We, Filipinos, refer to it as “ kagandahan ng
loob “. It is “ loob “ because it radiates from within the human personality.
Kagandahan ng Loob – refers to attitude. It stands for all that is good, we call kabaitan, in
human being.
 includes such moral values as mapagmahal, maunawain, may-pakikiramdam, may-
pakikiramay, matulungin, masayahin, and hindi mapagkunwari
includes such moral values as mapagmahal, maunawain, may-pakikiramdam, may-pakikiramay,

matulungin, masayahin, and hindi mapagkunwari

Modifiers of Human Act

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Background Knowledge:

Other modifiers: hypnoticism, brainwashing, mental conditioning, cultural imposition

1. Acts performed with fear – fear is a normal response to danger

 includes such moral values as mapagmahal, maunawain, may-pakikiramdam, may-

pakikiramay, matulungin, masayahin, and hindi mapagkunwari

includes such moral values as mapagmahal, maunawain, may-pakikiramdam, may-pakikiramay,

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