Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

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FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON

I. OUTCOMES OF LEARNING
1. Compose a song that express responsible freedom
2. Differentiate freedom among various schools of thought
3. Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices
4. Explain the different perspective about freedom
5. Realize that choices have consequences

II. LESSON PRESENTATION

Image 1- Retrieved
from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki

Defining Freedom
Freedom in a political and social context means the freedom of an individual from oppression, compulsion,
or coercion from other person, an authority figure, or from society itself. Freedom is a social and political concept
which has great significance in how people participate in society. However, the establishment of societies required
people to surrender some of their freedoms to live in harmony with others and ensure the survival of society. Political
freedom consists of two types of liberties.

Positive liberty refers to a person taking control of his or her own life and fulfilling one’s potential.

Example:
1. The rights of individual to have an education
2. Freedom of Speech.

Negative liberty, on the other hand, is freedom from external restraint, barriers, and other interferences from
other people. The development of a number of political ideologies was influenced by varied ideas on human liberty.

Example:
1. “I wanted to come but my anger with Harry Styles forbids me to go.
2. My mother wants me to become a teacher even though I want to become an engineer.

Liberalism upholds the preservation of individual rights and stresses the role of government in protecting these civil
liberties.
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Libertarianism believes that individual, not the government, is the best judge in upholding and exercising rights.

Socialism considers freedom as the freedom to acquire economic resources and the ability to work and act according
to one’s desires. Freedom also entails the recognition of certain rights and entitlements of persons.

Natural rights refer to rights which are innate in the person such as the right to life. The rights are considered
universal and inalienable.

Legal rights are rights that are based on society’s customs and laws and are enacted by legislation and enforced by a
government.

Philosophical Views
Philosophers define freedom as being based on free will or the capacity of persons to choose their own
actions and decisions. The exercise of free will of the individual should be based on sound judgment and rational
thinking.

One of the brightest student of Plato, relate human freedom to the

concept of human agency, that refers to the capability of an
individual to act and exert management over his or her behavior. For
Aristotle, a human being is rational. Reason is a divine characteristic.
If there has been no intellect, there would be no will. Reason can
legislate, but only through will can its legislation be turned into
action. Our will is an instrument of free choice.

For example, attending class is a student’s responsibility. Should the

student cut class, then he/she must be held responsible for the
consequences of his actions. As a result, he/she must be held
responsible for any accident or failure in grades that will befall on
him/her. The student may regret what he/she had done, but all the
regrets in the world will not call it back. He is also known for his
Aristotle “Power of Volition”, this act requires you to choose, choose by your
(Power of Volition) own will/volition.
Image 1.1
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aristotle_Altemps_Inv8575.jpg

Wrote the Summa Theologicae, establishes the existence of God at

the first cause. Of all creatures of our God, human beings have the
distinctive power to alter themselves and therefore the things around
them for the better. Our spirituality separates us from animals.
Through our spirituality, we’ve got a conscience. Whether we choose
to be “good” or “evil” becomes our responsibility.
Aquinas provides a fourfold classification of law: the eternal law,
natural law, human law, and divine law. Human beings, as being
rational, have laws that should not only be obeyed but also obeyed
voluntarily and with understanding. The natural law, in its ethical
sense, applies only to human beings. Eternal law is the decree of God
that governs all creation.
For Aquinas, natural and human laws are concerned with ends
determined just by humanity’s nature. However, since a human being
is in fact, ordained to an end transcending his nature, it’s necessary
St. Thomas Aquinas that he has a law ordering him to that end, and this is the divine law
(Spiritual Freedom) or revelation.
Image 1.2
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St-thomas-aquinas.jpg

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One of the foremost potent philosophers of the 20 th century. He’s
best known as one of the key figures in a philosophical movement
known as Existentialism. Sartre’s existentialism stems from this
principle: existence precedes essence. Sartre emphasizes the
importance of free individual selection, regardless of the power of
other people to influence and coerce our desires, beliefs, and
choices. To be human, to be aware, is to be liberated to imagine,
free to choose, and be responsible for one’s life. The human person
builds the road to the destiny of his/her choosing; he/she is the
creator. As an example, your mother wants you to become a doctor
however, you cannot see yourself as a doctor, instead you would like
to become a teacher someday. In this case, you will choose your own
destiny, your own road to fulfill in what area you will be happy.

Jean Paul Sartre

(Individual Freedom)
Image 1.3
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sartre_1967_crop.jpg

Known for his “Law of Nature”, he projected a general rule that

states the preservation of our own life for the better. Avoiding things
that may cause destruction to human. Hobbes concludes that we
must always obtain peace to preserve our life and to have contract
with others that may be the basis of our moral obligation and duty.

1st Law of Nature – We should seek peace.

2nd Law of Nature – We mutually divest ourselves of certain rights to
achieve peace
3rd Law of Nature – is that human beings perform their covenant
made.

Free, rational, self-interested people realize that there are more

benefits in cooperating than in not cooperating.
Thomas Hobbes Rights imply obligations, therefore once you take from the common
(Social Contract) pot – by enjoying the goods that the system provides – you’re
Image 1.4 additionally expected to pay in. For example, we need to pay our
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60861613@N00/3928775840
taxes in every item that we buy or services in return, the government
will use that money for the wage of the policemen for the sake of our
security and safety.
Rousseau is one of the most famous and influential philosophers of
the French Enlightenment in the 18th century. In his book The Social
Contract, he elaborated his theory of human nature. Rosseau
believes that a human being is born free and good. Now, he is in
chains and has become bad due to the evil influence of society,
civilization, learning and progress. Hence, from these come
dissension, conflict, fraud, and deceit. Therefore, a human being lost
his original goodness, his primitive tranquility of spirit.
The term ‘Social Contract’ is not an actual historical event. It is a
philosophical fiction, a metaphor, and a certain way of looking at a
society of voluntary collection of agreeable individuals.

Jean-Jacques Rosseau
Image 1.5
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-
Jacques_Rousseau_(painted_portrait).jpg

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II. INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is freedom based on your own idea?

2. Why freedom is important to us?
3. How can you describe freedom in our country?
4. Are you a slave to something (e.g., technology)? Why or why not?
5. To what extent does the environment affect our choices?

IV. VALUES REFLECTION

Directions: Based on the video you have seen on the news about human rights, what rights should be
exercised and what rights are being violated?

Click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVn0ppDD8v0

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V. ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT

Its FREE-Day!
Directions: Absolute freedom means no form of hindrance that would prevent you from doing what you
want. Write down on the answer sheet the list of things that you would do if you were granted absolute
freedom for a day. Make an additional arrow if you have other answer.

Module 5: Freedom of the Human Person

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VI. RESEARCH EXPLORATION

Direction: Analyze the following research abstract and cite its implication on. You may download the full paper of
this research on the website given below. After reading the research, answer the following question on your answer
sheet.

Poverty, Inequalities and the Perceptions on Distributive Justice

Iqbal, Munawar (2018)

Abstract
Distributive justice may mean different things to various schools of thought. Active discussions on poverty and
inequality are among economic debates which have been going on for a long time. However, during the last fifty
years, they have received a lot more attention by both academicians and policy makers. Fifty years ago, growth in
national income was considered to be the most effective way of reducing poverty and was preferred policy goal even
at the cost of increasing inequalities. Perspectives on both poverty and inequality have changed over time. The very
definitions of poverty have been revised. Poverty is now seen as having may manifestations. Money income is not the
only factor to determine who is poor, though it remains an important element. In this paper, we discuss the issues
involved in this debate and present different views on distributive justice.

(Source: Iqbal, Munawar, Poverty, Inequalities and the Perceptions on Distributive Justice (January 1,2018). Journal of King
Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics, Vol. 31, No. 1, January 2018 from https://ssrn.com/abstract=3183582)

Analysis: How is distributive justice different among various schools of thought?

Implication: How does poverty affect individuals in attaining freedom?

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VII. INTEGRATION AND SYNTHESIS

SYNTHESIS & INTEGRATION

> Freedom of the human person prepare students to be fully educated in attaining their freedom.
> Freedom is doing what you want without the decision or action of other people. Freedom means being happy in
every action we made and take full action to the consequences that might happen.
>Freedom means the freedom of an individual from oppression, compulsion, or coercion from other person,
authority, or from society itself. 
> According to Jean Paul Sartre, freedom is exercising your capacity to choose bounded that you fully understood
the consequences of any path you will take.
> According to St. Thomas Aquinas, real freedom is choosing and doing what is right and avoiding wrong deeds.
> As human beings, we should not be enslaved by our self-interest but to be truly free, we should also be at one
with others and the environment.
> Philosophers define freedom as being based on free will or the capacity of persons to choose their own actions and
decisions. The exercise of free will should be based on sound judgment and rational thinking.

VIII. ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

Voice Record PICTURE PERFECT

Directions:
1. Make a cover of your own song that is expressing the meaning of responsible freedom using the voice recorder of
your phone for 1 minute.
2. Type the lyrics of the song that you made and prepare the audio.
2. Submit through Google Classroom.

CRITERIA
15% 12-15 9-11 6-8 3-5 TOTAL
All notes are Most notes are Notes are written Notes are written in
written neatly using written clearly clearly, but bar line is a sloppy and illegible
proper bar line using the proper often incorrect manner.
Music Notation placement. bar line
placement.
15% 12-15 9-11 6-8 3-5 TOTAL
Phrasing is always Phrasing is Phrasing is usually Phrasing is rarely
consistent and usually consistent consistent and consistent and/or
sensitive to the and sensitive to occasionally sensitive rarely sensitive to
Phrasing style of music being the style of music to the style of music musical style.
sung. being sung. being sung.
20% 17-20 13-16 9-12 5-8 TOTAL
Tone is consistently Tone is focused, Tone is often The tone is often not
focused, clear, and clear and focused, clear and focused, clear or
centered centered through centered, but centered regardless
Tone Quality throughout the the normal sometimes the tone is of the range,
range of the voice. singing range. uncontrolled in the significantly
normal singing range. detracting from the
overall performance.
50% 40-50 29-39 18-28 7-17 TOTAL
The song The song The song composition The song
composition was composition was was very basic and composition was not
creative, clean/easy somewhat somewhat legible to complete, and very
Overall to read, and creative and read. At least half of difficult to read.
Performance included all legible. Most of the required elements Under half of the
required elements. the required were included. required elements

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elements were were included.
included.

TOTAL:

VIII. NETWORKS, DIGITAL SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Network

Google classroom

Messenger

Web Sources
https://freesvg.org/deep-thought-man-silhouette-vector-drawing
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aristotle_Altemps_Inv8575.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St-thomas-aquinas.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sartre_1967_crop.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60861613@N00/3928775840
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Jacques_Rousseau_(painted_portrait).jpg

Text Book

Ramos, E. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Abella, R. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon: C & E Publishing, Inc.

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UN report details widespread human rights violations and persistent impunity

A heavy-handed focus on countering national security threats and illegal drugs has resulted in serious human rights
violations in the Philippines, including killings and arbitrary detentions, as well as the vilification of dissent, a new
report by the UN Human Rights Office said Thursday. Persistent impunity and formidable barriers to accessing justice
need to be urgently addressed, the report said.

The report, which was mandated by a UN Human Rights Council resolution, noted that many of the human rights
concerns it has documented are long-standing, but have become more acute in recent years. This has been
manifested particularly starkly in the widespread and systematic killing of thousands of alleged drug suspects.
Numerous human rights defenders have also been killed over the past five years.

“While there have been important human rights gains in recent years, particularly in economic and social rights, the
underpinning focus on national security threats – real and inflated – has led to serious human rights violations,
reinforced by harmful rhetoric from high-level officials,” the report stated. “This focus has permeated the
implementation of existing laws and policies and the adoption of new measures – often at the expense of human
rights, due process rights, the rule of law, and accountability.”

Since the Government launched its campaign against illegal drugs in 2016, official figures indicate that at least 8,663
people have been killed, with some estimates putting the real toll at more than triple that number. The UN Human
Rights Office has also documented that, between 2015 and 2019, at least 248 human rights defenders, legal
professionals, journalists and trade unionists have been killed in relation to their work.

There has been near impunity for these killings, with only one conviction for the killing of a drug suspect in a police
operation since mid-2016, the report stated. Witnesses, family members, journalists and lawyers interviewed by the
UN Human Rights Office expressed fears over their safety and a sense of powerlessness in the search for justice,
resulting in a situation where “the practical obstacles to accessing justice within the country are almost
insurmountable.”

Given the failure of domestic mechanisms to ensure accountability thus far, the report stressed the need for
independent, impartial, credible investigations into all allegations of serious violations of human rights and
international humanitarian law. The High Commissioner stands ready to assist credible efforts towards accountability
at the national and international level.

The UN Human Rights Office examined the key policy documents relating to the campaign against illegal drugs and
found a troubling lack of due process protections, and the use of language calling for “negation” and “neutralization”
of drug suspects.

“Such ill-defined and ominous language, coupled with repeated verbal encouragement by the highest level of State
officials to use lethal force, may have emboldened police to treat the circular as permission to kill,” the report stated.

Police raids on private households were routinely carried out without warrants, and post-operational spot reports
examined by the Office indicated that evidence may have been falsified. An examination of 25 operations in which 45
people were killed in Metro Manila between August 2016 and June 2017 found that “police repeatedly recovered
guns bearing the same serial numbers from different victims in different locations,” suggesting some victims were
unarmed at the time of their killing. Arrests of suspected drug offenders have also contributed to a 534 per cent
prison congestion rate – among the highest in the world.

While the Philippines has a long-standing and robust tradition of human rights advocacy and activism, with more
than 60,000 registered NGOs, human rights defenders have been subject to verbal and physical attacks, threats and
legal harassment for nearly 20 years, the report states. The vilification of dissent and attacks against perceived
critics, the report said, are being “increasingly institutionalized and normalized in ways that will be very difficult to
reverse.”

The phenomenon of “red-tagging” – labelling individuals or groups (including human rights defenders and NGOs) as
communists or terrorists – has posed a serious threat to civil society and freedom of expression. The report notes

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how in some cases those who have been red-tagged were subsequently killed. Others told the UN Human Rights
Office they had received death threats or sexually-charged comments in private messages or on social media.

“Human rights advocacy is routinely equated with insurgency and the focus diverted to discrediting the messengers
rather than examining the substance of the message,” the report said. “This has muddied the space for debate,
disagreement and for challenging State institutions and policies.”

Human rights violations documented in the Philippines have been exacerbated by harmful rhetoric emanating from
the highest levels of the Government, which the report described as “pervasive and deeply damaging.” That rhetoric
has ranged from degrading comments against women human rights defenders to incitement to extreme violence
against civil society actors, journalists, people who use and sell drugs, and indigenous peoples. The use of some of
this “incendiary” language “could amount to a violation of the prohibition against arbitrary deprivation of life in Article
6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the report said.

In the report, the UN Human Rights Office also detailed ongoing threats to freedom of expression, with legal charges
and prosecutions being brought against journalists and senior politicians critical of the Government, as well as actions
to shut down media outlets.

The report also examined key national security laws and policies and their impact on human rights, particularly in the
southern island of Mindanao, as well as Negros Island, which have seen increased militarization through the
imposition of emergency measures. The effect of this militarization – coupled with the long-standing presence of
armed groups and the pressure by powerful landed elites and large business projects – is particularly dire on already
embattled indigenous and farming communities.

There are concerns that counter-insurgency policies have given rise to patterns resembling “those that characterize
the anti-illegal drugs campaign, notably a presumption of guilt and lack of due process or effective oversight – this
time against those suspected of supporting the [Communist Party of the Philippines and its New People’s Army],” the
report stated.

The report also documents reports of human rights abuses by non-State actors, including killings, abductions,
recruitment of children and extortion by the New People’s Army (NPA). The United Nations lists the NPA among
parties that commit grave violations affecting children in situations of armed conflict.

The High Commissioner welcomed the substantive engagement between the UN Human Rights Office and the
Government of the Philippines in the preparation of the report.

“The Philippines faces major challenges – structural poverty, inequality, armed conflict, frequent natural disasters,
and now the COVID-19 crisis,” Bachelet said. “It is vital the Government’s responses be grounded in human-rights
approaches and guided by meaningful dialogue. Accountability and full transparency for alleged violations are
essential for building public trust. Unfortunately, the report has documented deep-seated impunity for serious human
rights violations, and victims have been deprived of justice for the killings of their loved ones. Their testimonies are
heartbreaking.”

“People who use or sell drugs do not lose their human rights,” the High Commissioner said. “People who disagree
with Government policies and criticize them, including in international fora, should not be vilified as terrorist
sympathizers. Indigenous peoples should not be victims of a tug-of-war between the State, non-State armed groups
and business interests.”

The report is based on 893 written submissions, substantial input from the Government of the Philippines, analysis of
legislation, police reports, court documents, videos, photos and other open source material, as well as interviews
with victims and witnesses. It is due to be discussed at the next UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25924&LangID=E

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