Whether goodness or malice is first in the action of the will, or in the external action?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that good and evil are in the external action prior to being in the act of the will. For the will derives goodness from its object, as stated above (Question [19], Articles [1],2). But the external action is the object of the interior act of the will: for a man is said to will to commit a theft, or to will to give an alms. Therefore good and evil are in the external action, prior to being in the act of the will.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, the aspect of good belongs first to the end: since what is directed to the end receives the aspect of good from its relation to the end. Now whereas the act of the will cannot be an end, as stated above (Question [1], Article [1], ad 2), the act of another power can be an end. Therefore good is in the act of some other power prior to being in the act of the will.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, the act of the will stands in a formal relation to the external action, as stated above (Question [18], Article [6]). But that which is formal is subsequent; since form is something added to matter. Therefore good and evil are in the external action, prior to being in the act of the will.