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Objection 1: It would seem that the circumstances are not properly
set forth in Ethic. iii, 1. For a circumstance of an act is
described as something outside the act. Now time and place answer to
this description. Therefore there are only two circumstances, to
wit, "when" and "where."
Objection 2: Further, we judge from the circumstances whether a
thing is well or ill done. But this belongs to the mode of an act.
Therefore all the circumstances are included under one, which is the
"mode of acting."
Objection 3: Further, circumstances are not part of the substance
of an act. But the causes of an act seem to belong to its substance.
Therefore no circumstance should be taken from the cause of the act
itself. Accordingly, neither "who," nor "why," nor "about
what," are circumstances: since "who" refers to the efficient
cause, "why" to the final cause, and "about what" to the material
cause.
On the contrary is the authority of the Philosopher in Ethic. iii,
1.
I answer that, Tully, in his Rhetoric (De Invent. Rhetor.
i), gives seven circumstances, which are contained in this verse:
"Quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxiliis, cur, quomodo, quando---
Who, what, where, by what aids, why, how, and when." For in
acts we must take note of "who" did it, "by what aids" or
"instruments" he did it, "what" he did, "where" he did it,
"why" he did it, "how" and "when" he did it. But Aristotle in
Ethic. iii, 1 adds yet another, to wit, "about what," which
Tully includes in the circumstance "what."
The reason of this enumeration may be set down as follows. For a
circumstance is described as something outside the substance of the
act, and yet in a way touching it. Now this happens in three ways:
first, inasmuch as it touches the act itself; secondly, inasmuch as
it touches the cause of the act; thirdly, inasmuch as it touches the
effect. It touches the act itself, either by way of measure, as
"time" and "place"; or by qualifying the act as the "mode of
acting." It touches the effect when we consider "what" is done.
It touches the cause of the act, as to the final cause, by the
circumstance "why"; as to the material cause, or object, in the
circumstance "about what"; as to the principal efficient cause, in
the circumstance "who"; and as to the instrumental efficient cause,
in the circumstance "by what aids."
Reply to Objection 1: Time and place surround [circumstant] the
act by way of measure; but the others surround the act by touching it
in any other way, while they are extrinsic to the substance of the
act.
Reply to Objection 2: This mode "well" or "ill" is not a
circumstance, but results from all the circumstances. But the mode
which refers to a quality of the act is a special circumstance; for
instance, that a man walk fast or slowly; that he strike hard or
gently, and so forth.
Reply to Objection 3: A condition of the cause, on which the
substance of the act depends, is not a circumstance; it must be an
additional condition. Thus, in regard to the object, it is not a
circumstance of theft that the object is another's property, for this
belongs to the substance of the act; but that it be great or small.
And the same applies to the other circumstances which are considered in
reference to the other causes. For the end that specifies the act is
not a circumstance, but some additional end. Thus, that a valiant
man act "valiantly for the sake of" the good of the virtue or
fortitude, is not a circumstance; but if he act valiantly for the sake
of the delivery of the state, or of Christendom, or some such
purpose. The same is to be said with regard to the circumstance
"what"; for that a man by pouring water on someone should happen to
wash him, is not a circumstance of the washing; but that in doing so
he give him a chill, or scald him; heal him or harm him, these are
circumstances.
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