December 01-02, 2022 Handout

FREEDOM OF THE Lesson Objectives:

HUMAN PERSON 1. Realize that: (PPT11/12-IIa5.3)
Module 5 (Lesson 3): (a.) Choices have consequences.
(b.) Some things are given up while others are obtained in making choices.
“Freedom of Choice and the Consequences”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction:
The ability to exercise one’s freedom in any manner is called freedom of choice. By law, all human beings are entitled
to make decisions for them in whatever they choose to.
The only exception to this rule is when an absolute choice harms or delimits the self and others.
It can be compared to a cause and effect relationship where a decision concludes with a corresponding effect on the
person or the environment.

The Act of Making Choices

 The act of making choice involves evaluating the reasons and giving weight to reasons. One alternative is chosen because the reason behind such
alternative has more weight than the others.
 Nozick introduced the concept of weighing the reasons. (Robert Nozick was an American philosopher)
- He explained that when you are choosing, the act involves not only weighing the reasons but giving weight to reasons. After you
have chosen each alternative, you will realize that some considerations carry more weight than the others. That is why you choose
one alternative and discard the others.
Theory of Values (in the act of giving weights) – Robert Nozick
1. Intrinsic Value – the value that has in itself apart from or independent of its consequences. If
intrinsic value is applied to alternatives, you choose this alternative by the weight you give to the
alternative because the alternative itself is valuable in its own right.
Example: If you will have to choose between studying and going out with your friends, these
alternatives can be both valuable and independent of the consequences the alternative may lead to.
2. Instrumental Value – is the function and measure of the intrinsic values of different things it
leads to or some measure of the intrinsic values it might lead to us weighed by probabilities such as
expected intrinsic value.
So, if you choose to study over night of fun with your friends, such as choice involves the following:
(1.) Intrinsic value: Studying is a good act.
(2.) Instrumental value: Studying will help you understand the lessons well and it may help you earn a high grade.
3. Originative Value – introduces new values to the world. It may be newly instrumental values. Through this third value, you may have all three
kinds of values combined-intrinsic, instrumental and originative. That is why a person with an originative value can make a difference in this
world. His or her action can effect change and different valuable consequences can happen. However, the originative value can be denied by casual
determination.
4. Contributory Value – it focuses on the value contribution that a human action effects. Most human beings want their actions to have
contributory values.

 When you make a choice, the act of choosing is always intentional or purposeful.
 It is a free choice that you made from among the alternatives, and such choice was based on the weight of the reasons you put on the choices.
 “Individual freedom should be aligned with economic freedom.” – Ayn Rand – “Maintains that behavior is shaped and maintained by its
consequences.”
 The Filipino “sakop” or harmony can be a helping value to the full development of the Filipino if it opens to embrace the whole Philippine
society.
 Filipino “sakop” must begin to raise its members in a more responsible way and the members should likewise see take this attempt to raise them
financially and socially seriously so as not to squander the help bestowed on them.
 Moreover, they must come to realize that their personal worth and dignity is not exterior to themselves; it is not found in the body of “sakop” but in
one’s “kalooban”. If these are fulfilled, The Filipinos shall not only be better persons but a better nation with a sound economy (Andres 1994).
 A leader or a manager with “magandang kalooban” is not passive but plays active role in economic development. Leaders should not just focus on
the impact of job performance but treats every individual worker as person and not as objects.

Activity: Test Your Understanding!

Direction: Put a check in the box if the scenario described shows responsible use of freedom. Put an “X” if otherwise.
1. While his parents were on vacation, Donald invited his schoolmates over to their house for an overnight party. Neighbors called the police to
complain about the noise made by the partygoers, while a bonfire on the yard almost burned down part of the house.
2. Instead of spending her excess allowance on new shoes, Rayna decided to open a bank account and start saving up for her future.
3. Despite the threats made on his life, the witness decided to come forward and divulge important information regarding the crime he witnessed.
4. A woman used the internet to humiliate her ex-boyfriend by spreading lewd photos of him on social media.
5. Despite being told not to travel to other countries, a seriously-ill businessman still continued on his vacation overseas.
6. A man dives into traffic to grab and save a girl who is about to get hit by a speeding car.
7. Despite knowing that many of his clients were poor and desperate, a moneylender continues to impose very high interest rates on loans.
8. A businessman resigned from a lucrative position in an overseas firm to start his own business and spend more time with his family.

Note: STRICTLY! Wait for the teacher’s instruction before answering anything on this activity. Failure to follow simple instruction will lead to a score of
zero (0).
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
– Nelson Mandela