A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king’s moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king’s order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and power of thought, but let’s himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a. man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.
Which of the following statements best describe/describes the thought of the writer?
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Statement 1 is correct. The passage explicitly states that a moral act "must be our own act; must spring from our own will" and necessitates the use of "discrimination." It distinguishes between mechanical action, which lacks moral content, and intentional action, which involves conscious judgment and discretion. Therefore, a moral act inherently requires the exercise of one's own discretion.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The passage does not advocate for immediate reaction as a characteristic of a moral act. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of using one's "intelligence and power of thought" and acting with "discrimination," implying a deliberate and thoughtful approach rather than an instantaneous response.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While performing one's duty can be part of a moral action, the passage clarifies that merely doing one's duty mechanically is insufficient for a moral act. The example of the king's messenger illustrates that the act becomes moral only if the messenger carries out the order "considering it to be his duty," thereby involving his own will and discretion, rather than simply acting as a machine.
Statement 4 is incorrect. The passage notes that "Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good." This highlights a specific instance where individual discretion, aimed at a higher good, may involve defying convention. However, it is not presented as a general condition or prerequisite for all moral acts. The fundamental requirement remains the exercise of one's own intelligence and will, irrespective of whether it involves defying convention.