Human Person on Freedom

• Freedom


  The capacity for individuals to make choices and act according to their own will, free from external constraints or determinism. It encompasses the ability to exercise autonomy, make decisions based on reasoning or desires, and take responsibility for one's actions.
• Important indication of human freedom

  • Ability to make choices and perform actions
  • Sets us apart from other beings like animals
• Animals in terms of freedom

  • Respond to commands
  • Trained and conditioned to perform
  • Act instinctively (actions are pre determined responses to certain stimuli)
• Human person


  Can choose the course of action to take when given a stimulus or faced with a certain situation
• Aristotle's concept of volition of freedom

  • Humans have the ability to make choices based on their own reasoning and desires
  • True freedom involves both the ability to choose and the capacity to act in accordance with reason and virtue, leading to a flourishing life
• St. Thomas Aquinas's view of freedom

  • True freedom is found in the ability to choose what is morally good, guided by love for God and others
  • Spiritual freedom arises from the alignment of one's will with divine principles, allowing individuals to act in accordance with their highest moral aspirations
• Jean-Paul Sartre's notion of freedom

  • Individuals define themselves through their choices and actions
  • Humans are fundamentally free beings, responsible for creating their own values and identities through their decisions and commitments
• Theory of social contract


  • Individuals agree to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights and freedoms
  • Explores how freedom is negotiated within the framework of governance and societal agreements
• Physical freedom


  • Absence of physical constraints or limitations on an individual's movement, actions, or bodily autonomy
  • Ability to move freely, make physical choices, and engage in activities without external coercion or restrictions
• Physical freedom


  • Freedom to move, climb, dance, play ball, and engage in various physical activities
• Psychological freedom


  • State of being mentally liberated from internal constraints, such as fears, insecurities, or limiting beliefs
  • Ability to think, feel, and perceive without undue influence from negative emotions or psychological barriers
• Psychological freedom


  • Freedom to choose your friends, partner, course in college, or even the freedom of what you want to be
• Moral freedom


  Using freedom in a manner that upholds human dignity and goodness
• Moral freedom


  • Doing charitable works, participating in outreach activities, being sensitive to the needs of others, being prudent on the use of social media, participating in volunteer works
• Freedom cannot be absolute; no one can be completely free
• Freedom is always coupled with responsibility
• Choices


  • Decisions individuals make regarding their actions, beliefs, preferences, or values
  • Selecting one option among several alternatives based on personal preferences, reasoning, desires, and external circumstances
• Ethics


  • A branch of Philosophy that deals with the systematic questioning and critical examination of the underlying principles of morality
  • Deals with questions about what is morally right and wrong, good and bad, and how individuals and societies should behave
• Moral agent


  • A person who has the ability to discern right from wrong and to be held accountable for their own actions
  • Moral agents have a moral responsibility not to cause unjustified harm
• Moral decision


  • A choice made based on a person's ethics, manner, character and what they believe is proper behavior
  • Decisions that tend to affect not only our own well-being, but the well-being of others
• Intellectual choice


  • Decisions made based on abstract reasoning, analysis, and consideration of principles or beliefs rather than immediate practical concerns
  • Capacity to uphold individual autonomy, foster critical thinking, and align decisions with deeply-held beliefs and values, ultimately leading to personal fulfillment and moral integrity
• Intellectual choice


  • Finding a lost wallet and returning it to the rightful owner
  • Refusing to engage in illegal activities despite facing financial struggles
• Practical choice


  • Decisions made based on immediate needs, circumstances, and pragmatic considerations rather than abstract principles or long-term goals
  • Prioritizing real-world consequences and pragmatic considerations over abstract moral principles, aiming to achieve the best outcome in a given situation
• Practical choice


  • Accepting any job to support her family
  • Allocating limited medical resources to patients with the highest chances of survival during a pandemic
• Moral dilemma


  A situation where someone must choose between conflicting moral principles, each with significant ethical consequences, making the decision difficult and morally challenging
• Moral dilemma


  • Rosie's dilemma of choosing between loyalty to her friend and upholding academic integrity
  • Carlo's struggle to choose between donating a vital organ to save her sibling's life or adhering to her religious beliefs
• How to navigate moral dilemmas

  1. Consider consequences

  2. Reflect on values

  3. Seek guidance

  4. Utilize ethical frameworks

  5. Consider rights and duties