FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON

What is freedom?

• Freedom is an intrinsic and essential property of the person.

• Freedom is also understood as the power to be what you want to be and the ability to decide and
create yourself.
• Freedom is rooted in the human person’s self-determination and the exercise of intellect and free
will.
• Freedom gives us the choice to undertake possible actions.
• Freedom also requires a degree of control from the person who exercises it.

Two elements that define FREEDOM

Voluntariness
 Refers to the ability of a person to act of his or her own free will and self-determination.
Responsibility
 Refers to the person being accountable for his or her actions and their consequences.

Kinds of Freedom

1. Physical Freedom
 Refers to the absence of any physical restraint. The person has the freedom of mobility to go
where he or she wants to go.
(Example: Freedom to experience physical pleasures such as eating, sleeping, dancing,
exercising, challenging ourselves in sports, etc.)

2. Psychological Freedom
 Psychological freedom is innate and cannot be denied a person. No Outside force or
influence can compel a person to take action against his or her will
(Example: Freedom to choose brings meaning to our lives and boosts well-being, but it can also
generate anxiety. )

3. Moral Freedom
 Refers to using freedom in a manner that upholds human dignity and goodness.
(Example: The individual governed by the principles of their own way of thinking.)

FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON

 Human freedom as a right is the inherent, essential and inalienable right of man and provides
within the framework of knowledge a person possesses. Freedom can be described as a situation of
behaving of people as a moral agent according to their own preferences and rational decisions.
 MAN AS FREEDOM & EXISTENTIALISM
EXISTENTIALISM
• Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and choice and the
inherent meaninglessness of life. It can be challenging to understand existentialism without first
having a solid definition of the term.
• Existentialism offers a powerful framework for navigating the complexities of existence.
• Existentialism also emphasizes the subjective experience of individuals. Each person experiences life
in a unique way, and there is no right or wrong way to live.
• Existentialists believe that humans are ultimately responsible for their own lives and that no one
can tell you how to live.

Existentialist Philosophers
 Many different figures have been associated with existentialism, but Jean-Paul Sartre and Friedrich
Nietzsche are two of the most famous.

1. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980)

 Popularized existentialism in the 20th century through his profound literary and
philosophical works. In “Existentialism Is a Humanism,” Sartre proclaimed that existence
precedes essence, meaning that human beings are free to create their own essence or
identity. He emphasized the anguish and responsibility that comes with this freedom,
arguing that individuals must embrace their choices and recognize their impact on the
world. Sartre’s ideas about radical freedom and the authenticity of personal choice
resonated deeply with many.

2. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

 Challenged conventional moral and religious beliefs, advocating for a radical reevaluation of
values. He critiqued the notion of objective truth, arguing that morality is a subjective
construct shaped by individuals and societies. Nietzsche emphasized the affirmation of life’s
struggles, the embrace of personal will to power, and the pursuit of individual greatness. His
concept of the “Ubermensch” or the “Superman” embodies the idea of surpassing societal
limitations to achieve self-realization.

Summary
 FREEDOM is a moral, social, and existential concept.

 EXISTENTIALISM is a philosophical movement that seeks to study man and the nature of his
existence.

Alejandro, Ricxy Mae R.

STEM 11-WEINBERG