FREEDOM OF THE

HUMAN PERSON

THE WILL: ITS EXISTENCE,

NATURE AND OBJECT
• The will, in philosophy and
psychology, is a term used to
describe the faculty of mind that
is alleged to stimulate
motivation of purposeful
activity.
• The concept has been
variously interpreted by
philosophers, some accepting
the will as a personal faculty or
function (for example, Plato,
Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes
and Kant)
• And other seeing it as the
externalized result of the
interaction of conflicting
elements (for example, Spinoza,
Leibniz, and Huma).
Thomas Aquinas’ Ideas
About the Will and
Human Freedom
• Five Stages of a Human Act
(from perception to action of
the will)
1. Intellect - apprehends a
situation and determines that
a particular end is appropriate
(good) for the given
circumstances.
  Will - approves a simple
volition for that end (or can
reject, change the subject,
etc.)
2. Intellect - determines that
the end can be achieved, is
within the power of the agent.
  Will - Intention: to achieve
the end through some
means
3. Intellect - Counsel:
determines various means to
achieve the end.
  Will - accepts these means
(or can ask for more means)
4. Intellect - determines the
best means for the given
circumstances.
  Will - Electio (choice):
selects the means the
intellect proposes as best.
5. Intellect - Command: says
"Do the best means!"
 Will - Use: exercises
control over the body or
mind as needed.

HUMAN ACTS AND

VOLUNTARINESS
• We have human dignity
because we are intelligent and
free persons, capable of
determining our own lives by
our own free choices.
• We give this dignity to
ourselves by freely choosing to
shape our lives and actions in
accord with the truth; that is, by
making good moral choices.
Such choices are in turn
dependent upon true moral
judgments. These choices
performed as free persons are
called human acts.
CITY OF ANGELS
• The only thing that separates
us from angels is...freedom/free
will
• from the latin word VOLUNTAS