In Medieval philosophy, particularly in the works of Thomas Aquinas, this is known as . What is Malitia ?
Early Career Research Spotlight: Ashley Dressel - Blog of the APA malitia
In our daily lives, we often attribute wrongdoing to a lack of information or a momentary lapse in judgment. We say, "I didn't know," or "I wasn't thinking." But what happens when someone knows exactly what the "good" choice is—and chooses the opposite anyway? In Medieval philosophy, particularly in the works of
Often, malitia stems from a settled disposition. When someone repeatedly chooses vice, it becomes a habit, making it easier to choose "evil" deliberately in the future. Why It Matters Today We say, "I didn't know," or "I wasn't thinking
However, the concept of malitia suggests that human psychology is more complex. It highlights the —the idea that we are responsible not just for what we know, but for what we will . It challenges us to look at our habits and the "unfiltered strength" of our intentions, much like a powerlifter stripping away gear to find their true baseline. Conclusion
Understanding malitia shifts the conversation about ethics from "education" to "character." If all wrongdoing were just a lack of data, more "awareness" would solve every social ill.
Below is a blog post exploring this concept based on the scholarly work of Ashley Dressel and traditional Thomistic philosophy. Choosing the Shadow: Understanding the Concept of Malitia