On the human act: Approach and proposal

Abstract

Recent history has witnessed a revival of classical philosophy inspired by the Greeks (Plato and particularly Aristotle) and expressed so exceptionally by Thomas Aquinas. However, this revival of Thomistic philosophy has brought in tow some strange ideas that were developed in earlier times. The author clarifies the deviation essentialist ideas produced in the study of morality and, in doing so, briefly examines their Platonic and Augustinian historical roots, what constituted Aristotelian influence, what characterized essentialist scholasticism, and its repercussions on ethical theory. He proposes an approach to the study and assessment of human acts from the standpoint of a Thomistic philosophy of moral action. The elements provided are used to examine topics where the essentialist deviation may have caused confusion: indifferent actions, those with dual consequences, and indirect voluntary or voluntary in causa. The article ends with a brief description of practical guidelines that can be followed to arrive at an ethical assessment of an act.