PHILO_Q2_M1&2_ARE WE BORN FREE?

WHAT ’S IN

In our discussion of Human Person and Ecology in the last module, we mentioned
the anthropocentric view which means “human person is at the center of the universe.”
What do you think are some of the factors why humans are the center of the universe? One
reason in support of this is the ability and capacity of human beings to make choices or
decisions in altering nature or preserving it. That gift is freedom which when exercised will
result to either good or bad to environment, to self and to fellow individual or humanity in
general.

Do you agree that you are gifted with freedom?

For you, is freedom a gift or a burden?

WHAT IS IT

Our topic for today is freedom. What is freedom? Is “freedom” doing what we can
and what we like regardless of what society and other people say? Is freedom something we
achieve or are we born with it? Is there no limit to our freedom?

FREEDOM is the ability to act, speak, to go to any places freely.

ELEMENTS OF FREEDOM

• the capacity and ability to make a choice from given alternatives;

• the awareness and presence of alternatives / choices;

• the awareness of the effects of our actions and non-actions on us and others;

• the act of not choosing is still an action or decision;

• to be free is to be responsible for the effects of one’s actions or non-action.

FACTORS THAT LIMIT FREEDOM

• Physical obstacles of our body- A child may want to ride a bike, but his body becomes a
limit to the things he can do. Height, age, physical aspect limits us. When young and small,
our bikes are small too. As we grow, we can have a choice to get the mountain bike or the
motorcycle.

• Laws - a biker needs to follow laws that are written and unwritten

• Limited knowledge one who has limited knowledge on bicycles will not maximize his
bikes’ use just like the friend dining at the 3-star restaurant

• Other People - others have rights too. When biking, share space, yield, or give way to
other bikers at intersections.
Kinds of Freedom

2 KINDS of FREEDOM

1. Negative Freedom is characterized by the absence of coercion, force, or interference in

the exercise of one’s freedom.

2. Positive Freedom includes the absence of interference or block; it requires an “active

effort” of the person; positive freedom implies inner struggle to “master oneself” to do
good; implies being true to oneself, no pretension and becoming authentic and real. A
person who is free does not see rules as limits to his freedom rather as guides.

THE EXISTENTIALISTS’ VIEW ON FREEDOM

✓ We are not born free, but we are “born to be free”. As a child, there are many things we
cannot do because of our natural limitations age, body, mental faculties, gender

✓ Our parents and older people in our family decide for us while we are still very young

✓ As we grow older, we learn and distinguish “what is right” and “what is wrong”.

✓ We learn to develop our critical thinking skills and become independent. This is often
seen in healthy clashes of ideas, debates with other people older than us.

✓ We start to think on our own but not disregarding the building blocks of values and
insights from our parents and family.

✓ We grow in ‘freedom’. It is like you wanted to carry a bag of tools, all the things you
need to live food, water, knowledge. But since you are small and not physically capable,
your parents carried the m for YOU until that day when you are already capable and you
choose to carry that bag for yourself. By carrying that bag, we begin to make our essence
from our existence.

The Exercise of Freedom

THE EXERCISE OF FREEDOM LEADS TO BECOMING AN AUTHENTIC

PERSON

◆ To be free is to exercise our power of choice and facing the consequences

◆ To be free is to be responsible in “seeing” the effects of our actions and non-actions on

us and on other people and on the environment

◆ Make our own essence and not as dictated by other people or society

◆ To be authentic is to be able to communicate with oneself, knowing one’s weaknesses,

strengths and living with it.

◆ It is to be real and be able to face one’s reflection like in the story of Mulan.

◆ The BEST exercise of freedom is when it promotes the freedom of others. We call such
sacrifice heroism.

◆ It is similar with de centering or making others the center of one’s actions.

WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM?

A true freedom is coupled with responsibility. It means the “ability to respond”.  Such is
also the ability to answer the call of making a choice knowing the consequences or effect of
the action has on oneself and to others.

Freedom, Social Contract and Other’s Rights

• Freedom is not only the exercise of making decisions for ourselves but also being prudent
in the kind of choices that we make.

• This exercise should also be directed towards the accomplishment of the good

• Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract give up some rights to obtain some rights.

• Social Contract implies sharing of resources especially to the less fortunate,  weak, poor,
helpless, and needy.

• The greatest exercise of freedom is for the development of others 

Freedom of choice: Illustrated (Scenes in a Jeep)

• In the jeep, you can choose to ride in front near the driver or at the back

• If the jeep is almost full and has room for only 1 person, it is your choice to take the risk /
chance sit even if there is too little space. But you will have to face the consequences of
your decision.

• When you sit, you need to adjust your body so the last person can sit, too.

• You give up some of your personal space.

• And same with the other person.

• Elders and Persons with Special Abilities / needs are given priority.

Freedom is exercised for the good.

• “Jeepney Barya lang sa umaga; “paki abot po”, bayad po,

• Giving up our seats to ladies, elders and the passengers with much luggage