Early Career Research Spotlight: Ashley Dressel - Blog of the APA
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 malitia
Unlike sins of (where we don't know better) or sins of passion (where our emotions overwhelm our reason), malitia is characterized by "willing viciousness". It is a sin committed out of a certain "malice" or a habit of vice. Early Career Research Spotlight: Ashley Dressel - Blog
In a world that often prizes "knowing" above all else, malitia reminds us that "doing" is a matter of the heart and the will. Choosing the good isn't just about having the right map; it’s about having the will to walk the path. In a world that often prizes "knowing" above
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
According to researchers like Ashley Dressel, malitia involves a "typology of sin" where the will plays the primary role: