Overview
This lecture discusses the "modifiers of human acts," focusing on how various factors influence a person's moral accountability by affecting knowledge and voluntariness in actions.
Modifiers of Human Acts
- Modifiers of human acts are factors or conditions that affect a person's mental or emotional state when choosing to act.
- These modifiers are also called "obstacles," as they can lessen or prevent full knowledge or free will in human actions.
- Modifiers may increase, decrease, or eliminate a person’s moral accountability for an action.
Types of Modifiers: Ignorance
- Ignorance is defined as the absence of necessary knowledge required in a particular situation.
- Ignorance is a negative condition, representing a lack of knowledge.
- There are two main types: Vincible Ignorance and Invincible Ignorance.
Vincible Ignorance
- Vincible ignorance can and should be overcome with reasonable effort.
- It is present when a person could know the truth but fails to do so due to negligence or avoidance.
- Three subtypes:
- Simple Vincible Ignorance: Some effort is made to gain knowledge, but not enough; the person is still somewhat responsible.
- Grass or Supine Vincible Ignorance: No effort is made to overcome ignorance; the person is gravely responsible, especially in serious matters.
- Affected Vincible Ignorance: The person deliberately avoids gaining knowledge to escape responsibility; this increases moral culpability.
Invincible Ignorance
- Invincible ignorance cannot be overcome with ordinary diligence or reasonable effort.
- The person is unaware of their lack of knowledge and cannot reasonably be expected to find out.
- The individual has no responsibility for actions done from invincible ignorance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Modifier (of Human Act) — A factor that influences a person's knowledge, willingness, or accountability in their actions.
- Ignorance — The absence of necessary knowledge in a given situation.
- Vincible Ignorance — Ignorance that can be overcome with reasonable effort.
- Simple Vincible Ignorance — Insufficient effort to overcome ignorance; results in reduced but present responsibility.
- Grass/Supine Vincible Ignorance — No effort to learn what could be known; results in grave responsibility.
- Affected Vincible Ignorance — Willful avoidance of knowledge to escape responsibility; increases moral culpability.
- Invincible Ignorance — Ignorance that cannot be overcome; there is no moral responsibility.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review other types of modifiers of human acts in upcoming lectures.
- Reflect on personal examples where modifiers may have lessened or increased your own accountability.