1. Knowledge (Intellect): This refers to the awareness of the act being performed. The person must understand what they are doing and its possible consequences.
2. Freedom (Will): This refers to the choice to perform the act. The person must be able to choose whether or not to act, without being coerced or forced.
3. Voluntariness (Will): This refers to the intention behind the act. The person must willingly and freely choose to perform the act, with a deliberate intention to do so.
It's important to note that all three components must be present for an action to be considered a "human act" in this philosophical framework. If any one of these components is absent, the action is considered an "act of man", which is not morally evaluated.
Here's an example:
* Human act: A student chooses to study for an exam because they want to get a good grade. They understand the importance of studying, they are free to choose to study or not, and they deliberately choose to study with the intention of achieving a good grade.
* Act of man: A student faints during an exam due to a sudden drop in blood sugar. They are not aware of what's happening, they are not choosing to faint, and they do not have any intention behind fainting.
This distinction is crucial in understanding the concept of moral responsibility and the basis for ethical judgments.