Correct Option (A)
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.
Incorrect Options:
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.