Freedom as Foundation for

Moral Acts
Objectives

Explain why only human beings can be ethical

Explain freedom as a foundation for moral acts

Why is it that
only human
beings can be
ethical?
Only human beings can be ethical

A basic tenet in ethics is the belief that only human beings can be truly ethical.

Most philosophers hold that unlike animals, human beings possess some traits that
make it possible for them to be moral.
A. Only human beings are rational, autonomous
and self-conscious
One must be able to consciously select his actions rather than be led by blind instinct
Only human beings are rational, autonomous and self-conscious, it follows that
human beings deserve full and equal moral status.
Moreover, the values of appreciating art, literature and the goods that come with
deep personal relationships all require a being to be rational, autonomous and
self-conscious. These values are the highest values to us humans, they comprise
those which make our lives worth living.
Do you like this painting? Is it beautiful?
Do you think this Lion is immoral for eating
another animal?
B. Only human beings can act morally or
immorally.
Strictly speaking, an animal which devours another animals cannot be said to be
immoral.
In the same manner, no matter how good an animal’s action seems to be, it cannot be
technically said to be moral.
Only human beings can act morally or immorally.
This is important in ethics because only beings that can act morally can be required
to sacrifice their interests for the sake of others. Not able to truly act morally,
animals could not really sacrifice their own good for the sake of others.
C. Only human beings are part of the moral
community.
The so-called moral community is not defined in terms of the intrinsic properties
that beings have but rather, in terms of the essential social relations that exist
between or among beings.

Distinctively, only human beings can possess or practice values such as love, honor,
social relationships, forgiveness, compassion and altruism
Moreover, only human beings can communicate with each other in truly meaningful
ways, can engage in economic, political and familial relationships with each other
and can also form deep personal relationships with each other.

These kinds of relationships require the members of such relationships to extend

real concern to other members in order for the relationships to continue.
Freedom as Foundation of Morality

One of the reasons animals cannot be truly ethical is

that they are not really autonomous or free.

Likewise, a robot, no matter how beneficial its functions

may be, cannot be said to be moral, for it has no
freedom or choice but to work according to what is
commanded based on its built-in program.
Morality is a question of choice.

Morality is choosing ethical codes, values or standards to guide us in our daily lives

Philosophically, choosing is impossible without freedom.

Morality requires and allows choice, which means the right to choose even
differently from our fellow.

In their daily lives, people make the choice to give to charities, donate time, and
money to schools, mentor children, open business, or protest against animal cruelty.
Freedom vs Free Will

Free will- power or capacity of humans to make

decisions or perform actions
Ex. Means of waving your hand or move your limbs
Freedom- ability to implement free will.
Ex. You can wave because you are not cuffed.
External Freedom vs Internal Freedom

External freedom is a freedom from factors outside ourselves that destroy or limit
or free will.

Ex. Poverty and Oppression

Internal Freedom is a freedom from interior factors that limit our free will.

Ex. Fear and Addiction

Human Acts vs Acts of Humans

Human acts make use of his knowledge and free will.

Example: love your enemy, pray to God, sacrifice for others.

Acts of Humans do not make use of his intellect or will knowledge. His action is
natural

Ex. Breathing, blinking, and sneezing.

Why is Freedom
a foundation for
moral acts?
End.
What will happen
to us if there is
absence of
freedom?