IPHP Week 5: FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON
these actions define him or her.
What is FREEDOM?
 The ability to make choices and perform those choices.
 The ability to be what we want and to decide and create oneself.
2 CONCEPTS THAT WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND FREEDOM
1. Freedom itself
 It is the quality or state of being free. It is our capacity to choose
what we wanted and an inner awareness of what is right and wrong
that is traced to our free will according to Aristotle.
 It is also an intrinsic and an essential property of a human person
which basically means, it is a part of our human nature.
2. Freewill
 Our free will allows us to decide on things we do depending on the
situation. It is our ability to choose between two different possible
courses of action, independently. (Power of volition)
 Simply put it, free will is our ability to choose things according to our
moral reasoning.
What is the essence of FREEDOM?
1. Freedom is an intrinsic and essential property of the person.
 This means that the human person by nature is a free being and that
it is in his or her nature to seek freedom.
 An important indication of human freedom is the ability to make
choices and perform actions. Our freedom to act sets us apart from
other beings.
2. Freedom is rooted in the human person’s self-determination and the
exercise of intellect and free will.
1
 This means that a person’s every action is freely determined and
 We can freely choose to be a good person and to act in a good way.
A good act makes a person better while its opposite has a negative
impact on him or her as a person.
What are the KINDS OF FREEDOM?
1. Physical Freedom
 It refers to the absence of any physical restraint. The person has the
freedom of mobility to go where he or she wants to go. He or she is
not impeded in his or her actions by any physical force.
 Granted that the person has natural limitations, physical freedom
allows him or her to act and move in determined manner. You
cannot be everywhere at once, but your freedom allows you to
move one place to another and to go whenever you want to go.
2. Psychological Freedom
 It is also called freedom of choice. The person is free to perform
actions that he or she considers right and wise. A person is also free
to act or not to act.
 Psychological freedom is innate and cannot be denied to a person.
No outside force or influence can compel a person to take action
against his or her will.
3. Moral Freedom
 Moral freedom refers to using freedom in a manner that upholds
human dignity and goodness. Freedom is not an object that a
person may use in whatever way he or she pleases
 A person must use his or her freedom to grow as a person. A person
becomes freer when he or she uses freedom well, but becomes less
free when he or she uses it in a bad way.
 Humans have a natural inclination for what is true and good, and
when a person uses his or her freedom to do acts that violates
 human dignity and goodness, he or she dehumanizes himself or 2. Human freedom should also be exercised with regard for knowledge and
herself and effectively negates human freedom. truth.

We use our freedom to act and acquire more knowledge, and we use this
knowledge in order to come up with (informed) decisions and (best) courses
2 Elements that define FREEDOM
of actions when confronted with difficult situations.
1. Voluntariness
3. We should also recognize and uphold not only our individual freedom
 It refers to the ability of a person to act out of his or her own free but also the freedom of others.
will and self determination. This means that a person may decide to
Freedom should be enjoyed by all, and freedom is a recognized and
act or not to act, and these decisions are made out of his her own
guaranteed right for all persons. Freedom should be exercised with due
free will.
regard for the welfare of others, not to restrict the freedom of others.
 Voluntariness also means That a person may act even if he or she is
not required or called to take action

2. Responsibility—It refers to the person being accountable for his or her SUMMARY
actions and their consequences.
IPHP Week 5: FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON
Taking responsibility can either mean a person voluntarily taking
responsibility for his or her own actions, or being held responsible by other What is FREEDOM?
people - The ability to make choices and enact them.
- The capacity to shape one's own identity and make decisions.
Whenever you know you committed a bad action, you can either voluntarily
2 CONCEPTS THAT WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND FREEDOM
confess to it or other people will point it out and hold you responsible 1. Freedom itself
- Quality or state of being free.
- Inner awareness of right and wrong traced to free will (Aristotle).
Responsibility can also have a positive or negative meaning, and it goes
- Intrinsic to human nature.
hand-in hand with voluntariness in determining the morality of an action.
2. Freewill
- Ability to choose independently.
- Power of volition.
How can I exercise FREEDOM?
- Choosing based on moral reasoning.
1. Human freedom should be exercised with control and a recognition of
reasonable limits. What is the essence of FREEDOM?
1. Intrinsic and essential property of the person
We set limits to our own freedom and learn to moderate or control our
- Human nature seeks freedom.
thoughts, emotions, and actions depending on the situation.
- Ability to make choices distinguishes humans.

2
2. Rooted in self-determination and intellect
- Actions define individuals.
- Choices shape character and morality.
What are the KINDS OF FREEDOM?
1. Physical Freedom
- Absence of physical restraint.
- Allows mobility and action.
2. Psychological Freedom
- Freedom of choice.
- Ability to act according to one's own judgment.
3. Moral Freedom
- Upholding human dignity and goodness.
- Using freedom to grow morally.
2 Elements that define FREEDOM
1. Voluntariness
- Acting out of free will and self-determination.
- Ability to act even when not obligated.
2. Responsibility
- Being accountable for actions and consequences.
- Can be voluntary or enforced by others.
How can I exercise FREEDOM?
1. Exercise control and recognize limits
- Set boundaries and moderate actions.
2. Act with regard for knowledge and truth
- Use freedom to acquire knowledge.
- Make informed decisions.
3. Uphold others' freedom
- Respect others' rights.
- Consider others' welfare.
3
IPHP Week 6: INTERSUBJECTIVITY
WHAT IS INTERSUBJECTIVITY?
Humans have the natural and universal tendency to relate, to
establish attachments, and seek close relationships with other people; it also
drives us to reach out to other people and interact with them in meaningful
ways.
Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people,
our surroundings, and everything around us is rooted in our capacity for self-
awareness and transcendence.
Before we begin to relate with others, we must first be aware of
ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined and reasonable
action. Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self becomes
aware of the other.
The interaction between the self and the other is related to the
philosophical concept of the INTERSUBJECTIVITY.
INTERSUBJECTIVITY also carries the meaning of “a unique
relationship between distinct subjects.”
INTERSUBJECTIVITY also refers to the characteristic of the human person to
engage in a very intimate and personal relationship with others who are
different from him or her, but who are also like him or her, which is possible
because of interiority.
Interiority or inner life allows the person to give himself or herself to others.
This also allows the individual to receive others and relate with them.
PHILOSOPHERS IDENTIFY VARIOUS LEVELS OF SELF-OTHER INTERACTION. o Willingness of a person to be present and be at the disposal
of another.
1st level – simple awareness of the existence of the other (awareness that
o Another characteristic of meaningful and genuine human
other beings unique from us exist)
relationship.
2nd level – awareness of the self as being seen by others ( self-consciousness:
a defining characteristic of self-other interaction)
 ETHICS OF CARE
SEEMING
o A moral perspective that encourages individuals to help
- A certain manner how we present ourselves when dealing with others others, most especially the vulnerable ones.
o Proponents believe that people have a moral obligation to
***People take on “roles” or act out characters when dealing with certain
respond to the needs of other people.
people or when in certain situations.

LESSON 2: DIALOUGE (Genuine Human Interactions)
DIALOGUE
 Deeper and more genuine, and more substantial interaction
 Truly acknowledging each other’s presence
 Defined as “an interaction between persons that happens through
speech or the use of words, expressions and body language”
 ***A person’s words, expressions, and body language become the
means of expressing a part of himself or herself
 Occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and begin give
and receive one another in an encounter
ALIENATION
 Arises when a person ceases (or stops) to view the other as a
distinct and authentic person and merely considers the other person
as a mere object or a means to satisfy personal interests.
 Discounts the humanity and dignity of the other person that leads to
dehumanization.
Who commonly suffers alienation, and discrimination?
The people who others deemed different – people with disabilities and
those from the underprivileged sector of the society.

HELEN KELLER
Philosphers agree that it is important for humans to pursue and achieve
 an author
genuine relationships to attain development.
 Due to a disease, she became blind at 7 and lost hearing
 EMPATHY  First deaf-blind person to earn a degree
“to be in other’s shoes”
JOANNA “ANNE” SULLIVAN
o The ability to share emotions; enables us to experience
another person’s emotions. Empathy is “feeling in” instead  Partially blind
of feeling with as in sympathy.  from an impoverished family
 AVAILABILITY
4
  a miracle worker - Deeper, genuine, and substantial interaction.
- Acknowledges each other's presence.
NICHOLAS JAMES “NICK” VUJICIC
- Interaction through speech, expressions, and body language.
 an Evangelist and motivational speaker - Means of expressing oneself.
 born without limbs which is a condition called phocomelia - Occurs when two persons 'open up' to each other.

Philosophical Importance:
ROSELLE RODRIGUEZ AMBUBUYOG - Empathy: Sharing emotions.
- Availability: Willingness to be present for others.
 first visually impaired Filipina to graduate summa cum laude at the - Ethics of Care: Moral obligation to help others.
Ateneo University
 initiated Project Roselle that will help blind to further their studies Alienation:
 got blinded at 6 - Viewing others as objects, leading to dehumanization.
- Commonly affects marginalized groups.

SUMMARY Notable Figures:

IPHP Week 6: INTERSUBJECTIVITY

Helen Keller:
- Author, blind and deaf from age 7.
What is Intersubjectivity?
- First deaf-blind person to earn a degree.
- Humans naturally seek relationships and interactions.
- Rooted in self-awareness and transcendence.
Joanna "Anne" Sullivan:
- Requires awareness of self and other.
- Partially blind, from an impoverished family.
- Intimate relationship with others through interiority.
- Known as a "miracle worker."

Levels of Self-Other Interaction:

Nicholas James "Nick" Vujicic:
1. Simple awareness of the other's existence.
- Evangelist and motivational speaker.
2. Self-consciousness: awareness of being seen by others.
- Born without limbs (phocomelia).

Seeming:
Roselle Rodriguez Ambubuyog:
- Presentation of self in interactions.
- First visually impaired Filipina summa cum laude graduate at Ateneo
- People adopt roles or characters.
University.
- Initiator of Project Roselle to support blind students.
Lesson 2: Dialogue (Genuine Human Interactions)
- Lost vision at age 6.

Dialogue:
5
6
IPHP Week 7: THE HUMAN PERSON IN SOCIETY
4. ORIGINAL POSITION (veil of ignorance)
What is society? What drives human beings to establish societies?
 JOHN RAWLS
 The human person exists to relate with others. o Humans naturally seek a just and fair society in an effort to
 Humans are the only beings capable of establishing SOCIETY. look out for their own interests.
 Our freedom gives us the opportunity to pursue various activities to 5. SELF-INTEREST (selfish interests benefits the society
achieve our goals and attain well-being or happiness.  DAVID GAUTHIER
o Is a significant factor in building and maintaining societies
SOCIETY is…
where people choose to cooperate, meeting their individual
- An organized group of people whose members interact frequently needs and, at the same time, furthers the interest of the
and have a common territory and culture. other members in the society.
- Is a companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a
community, or a union.
COMMON GOOD
According to Philosophers, SOCIETY…
 Refers to social conditions which enable persons and groups to fulfill
 Is a product of deliberate actions by individuals who come together their goals and achieve well-being.
in pursuit of a common goal
 Makes possible the emergence of certain individualities.
LESSON 2: The Different Forms of Society

1. Hunting and Gathering Society - earliest and the simplest form of society;
DISCOVER!
basically small; They are nomadic.
1. SOCIAL CONTRACT (governed by desires)
 Men are tasked to hunt large animals while women are tasked in the
 THOMAS HOBBES
collection of vegetables and other crops.
o An agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their
freedom and submit to a higher authority. 2. Pastoral Society- This form of society is characterized by the raising
2. CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED (cooperative and reasonable) (alaga) of animals to supply their food especially in the regions of the world
 JOHN LOCKE where vegetable growing is not possible. They also engage in buying and
o A covenant among individuals to cooperate and share the selling of goods with other groups.
burden of upholding the welfare of society.
3. Horticultural Society- This form of society engages in the growing of
3. GENERAL WILL (government empowerment)
plants, fruits and vegetables. In this society, there is enough food supply.
 JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU
Some members of the society also engage in making crafts and buying and
o Even if the people organized and established the authority
selling of goods.
or government, the government is empowered to act on its
behalf.

7
4. Agricultural (or Agrarian) society- This form of society grows rice and
other crops. They also began to farm and raise animals for food. Large
population leads to structural social system.
5. Feudal Society- It is a form of society in which the ruler or lord owned all
the land while the farmers or laborers farmed it. Social relations are based
on dependence; hierarchy is present.
RULERS <-> VASSALS <-> PEASANTS
6. Industrial Society - This society used machineries in the production of
goods and services. Through innovations and technological advances, daily
activities become easier and the lives of the people become better.
7. Post –Industrial Society - Also known as the virtual (computer) society,
people use technology and the Internet to communicate, to engage in
business and access different information that can be if used to deal with
daily activities.
8. Virtual Society - is where the people organize themselves through
communication technology and the internet. (internet is a product of post-
industrial society) Individuals in a virtual society often engage in complex
relationships.
LESSON 3: How Society Influences Our Development as Persons
ELEMENTS of social systems
 SOCIAL NORMS are excepted behaviors which individuals of
particular groups or cultures have to follow. Social norms are
assigned to people based on gender, ethnicity, culture, or race.
 NORMS are unwritten rules of the society, sometimes maybe
written, which determine how each individual behaves.
o The four types of social norms are: folkways, mores, taboos,
and laws.
 Folkways are standard behaviors which people follow in their
everyday life, while interacting with the society. They may or not be
8
aligned with morals. Example, standing in queue at the cash counter
of a store.
 Mores are more strict forms of behavior and determine moral
obligations. Violating mores is not illegal but often offends people.
For example, wearing black or colored clothing in a funeral where
the concerned culture may expect people to wear white as a sign of
mourning.
 Taboos are extremely negative social norms, and one must follow
them strictly. Violating taboos results in completely getting excluded
from the society and a feeling of disgust from those around.
o Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of
killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships;
reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and
dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as
vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and
haram).
 Laws are formal rules enacted by the state to which citizens must
abide by. Violating rules results in legal action by the state against
the violators.
o Laws example is physically injuring another person is against
the law, and those committing the act face legal action.
SUMMARY
IPHP Week 7: The Human Person in Society
1. Understanding Society
- Society is the platform where human beings interact and relate with each
other.
- Human capacity for freedom enables the establishment of societies.
- Society is an organized group with common territory and culture, fostering
companionship and union.
2. Philosophical Perspectives on Society
- Society arises from deliberate actions toward common goals.
- It facilitates the emergence of individuality within a collective context.
3. Key Concepts in Social Contract Theory
- Thomas Hobbes: Individuals sacrifice freedom for security under a higher
authority.
- John Locke: Cooperation among individuals for societal welfare.
- Jean Jacques Rousseau: Government empowered to act on behalf of the
people.
- John Rawls: Pursuit of justice through the original position, considering
fairness.
- David Gauthier: Self-interest contributes to societal cooperation and
benefits.
4. Common Good
- Refers to societal conditions enabling individuals and groups to achieve
well-being and goals.
Lesson 2: Forms of Society
1. Hunting and Gathering Society
- Earliest form, characterized by small nomadic groups.
- Division of labor: men hunt, women gather.
2. Pastoral Society
- Raising animals for food, engaging in trade.
3. Horticultural Society
- Focuses on growing plants and vegetables.
- Engages in crafts and trade alongside agriculture.
4. Agricultural Society
- Intensive farming of crops and domestication of animals.
- Large populations lead to structured social systems.
5. Feudal Society
9
- Ruler/lord owns land, peasants work it.
- Social hierarchy based on dependence.
6. Industrial Society
- Relies on machinery for production.
- Technological innovations improve living standards.
7. Post-Industrial Society
- Utilizes technology and the internet for communication and business.
- Shift towards virtual interactions and information access.
8. Virtual Society
- Organized through communication technology and the internet.
- Complex relationships develop in virtual spaces.
Lesson 3: Social Influence on Personal Development
1. Elements of Social Systems
- Social norms dictate expected behaviors.
- Norms encompass folkways, mores, taboos, and laws.
- Folkways: Everyday behaviors within society.
- Mores: Strict moral obligations.
- Taboos: Extreme social prohibitions.
- Laws: Formal rules enforced by the state.
Understanding society's influence on personal development involves
recognizing social norms and their impact on individual behavior and
interactions within various societal structures.
IPHP Week 8: HUMAN PERSON AS ORIENTED TOWARDS THEIR
IMPENDING DEATH
INTRODUCTION
The reality about our human condition: “we are temporal beings or beings
oriented towards death.”
 The cycle of being born, growing up and growing old and dying is
reality.
 We have limited time here on earth and whether we like it or not,
we are bound to die.
 Death is commonly understood as the end of bodily functions. It
also refers to the separation of body and spirit.
HOW SHOULD A LIFE BELIVED BEFORE IT FINALLY ENDS?
 While there is no freedom in the inevitability of death (given), a
person can still exercise freedom in choosing how to face the reality
of death in their lives.
 The temporal existence of a person means that our life is just
temporary; we are not beings who exist permanently and for
eternity.
 To paint a picture of how our life will progress and how we envision
it to end. The key idea is that we all have a vocation to live a life in
the best possible way that we can- by being excellent persons.
WHAT IS THE END OF LIFE:
The term end can be understood in two ways according to some
philosophers:
1. End as Terminus - "full stop" or "end of a line". Life ends and nothing
follows.
10
2. End as Telos - "goal, purpose, or fulfillment". Although we are oriented
towards our death, death is not the goal of life but to live a meaningful life,
to be virtuous, and achieve excellence.
WHAT MAKES US HAPPY?
 Happiness is a state of being (over all physical condition of a person),
not just only an emotion or a decision. We do not choose happiness
because we feel it, we do not choose happiness because we need it
but happiness is the totality of who we are as human beings.
 Kinds of Good (Noble good, Useful good, Pleasurable good)
NOBLE GOOD
is one which is pursued for its own sake, example is love and friendship.
USEFUL GOOD
is found only from what it can provide, example, money is good as it can buy
you something.
PLEASURABLE GOOD
is good so long as it provides some form of pleasure, though it does not have
to be physical.
WHY DO WE SUFFER?
Suffering is generally viewed as a state of feeling discomfort or pain. It can
come in the form of physical suffering when one experiences bodily pain,
example, injury or it may a mental suffering when it involves our be minds
and emotions, such as depression or loneliness. Humans as we are, we
normally experience pain and we often view it as necessary to help as grow
and become a strong person and find the deepest meaning of our lives.
SUMMARY

IPHP Week 8: HUMAN PERSON AS ORIENTED TOWARDS THEIR IMPENDING

DEATH

INTRODUCTION:
- Human condition: We are temporal beings, oriented towards death.
- Life's cycle: Birth, growth, aging, death.
- Limited time on earth; inevitability of death.

HOW SHOULD A LIFE BE LIVED BEFORE IT FINALLY ENDS?

- Despite death's inevitability, individuals can choose how to face it.
- Temporal existence implies life's temporariness; not eternal beings.
- Vocation: Living excellently; striving for personal best.

WHAT IS THE END OF LIFE?

- End understood in two ways:
1. Terminus: Life ends, nothing follows.
2. Telos: Life's goal is meaningful existence, virtue, excellence.

WHAT MAKES US HAPPY?

- Happiness: State of being, not just emotion or decision.
- Three kinds of good:
1. Noble: Pursued for its own sake (e.g., love, friendship).
2. Useful: Valued for what it provides (e.g., money).
3. Pleasurable: Offers pleasure (physical or otherwise).

WHY DO WE SUFFER?
- Suffering: Discomfort or pain; physical or mental.
- Forms: Physical (e.g., injury), mental (e.g., depression).
- Viewed as necessary for growth, finding deeper meaning in life.

11