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Human community and its laws, human rights, and human freedom vis-a-vis- the
laws
We, as humans, are a very vulnerable species that is susceptible to injuries,
illness, insufficient food intake, and human aggression and defect. To cope and survive,
we rely on each other to survive and flourish, and as time passes, we build a community
on which we can rely, and as time passes, a community becomes organized and begins
to form rules that everyone in the community must follow, and as time passes, it
becomes a law that people abide by. As humans evolve and their communities evolve
further, the laws that humans follow evolve too. As humans, we differentiate ourselves
from animals as we are capable of complex reasoning and using reasons and morals to
guide our conduct, and it shows in the making of our laws in our society as different
civilizations conduct themselves differently and as different philosophers with different
kinds of philosophy on how a society makes or follows the laws share their beliefs and
evolve to the laws we follow today. Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in 1224 or 1225 in
the family castle of Roccasecca in Southern Italy, where he is the youngest son.
He was the first to assimilate and apply Aristotle's rediscovered works; he was
open to truth and new scientific discoveries, and if he believed another philosopher's
beliefs were correct, he was not afraid to synthesize the opposing insights; as a result,
he frequently clashed with conservative local authorities. As a philosopher, he believes
that nature is organized for good purposes and that God created nature and rules the
world through "divine reason." He taught theology—the study of the nature of God and
religious belief. He described four kinds of law: Eternal law was God's perfect plan,
which humans did not fully comprehend. It determined how animals and planets
behaved, as well as how people should behave. Divine law, primarily from the Bible,
guided individuals beyond the world to "eternal happiness" in what St. Augustine had
called the "City of God." Natural law He stated, "The light of reason is placed by nature
[and thus by God] in every man to guide him in his acts." Therefore, human beings,
alone among God’s creatures, use reason to lead their lives. Aquinas stated that reason
reveals particular natural laws that are good for humans, such as self-preservation,
marriage, family, and the desire to know God. Reason, he taught, also enables humans
to understand things that are evil, such as adultery, suicide, and lying. These types of
laws, coined by St. Thomas Aquinas, had a significant impact on our modern laws and
our modern community. As it shows, the influence of the human community and its laws
is of great significance, as they greatly affect the morality and philosophies of a
community and its corresponding laws (Dependent Rational Animals; Alasdair
MacIntyre,

1 The Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas Professor Peter Kreeft, Jean-Pierre Torrell, O.P. AQUINAS’S Summa
Background, Structure, & Reception Translated by Benedict M. Guevin, O.S.B.)s
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Human ethics seeks to answer moral questions by defining and comprehending

concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, and justice and crime.
As a field of intellectual inquiry, moral philosophy is related to the fields of moral
psychology, descriptive ethics, and value theory. According to St. Thomas Aquinas's
ethical theory, ethics involves both principles, rules about how to act, and virtues and
personality traits that are taken to be good or moral to have. St. Thomas Aquinas
believes ethical philosophy is about deciding the best way to live one’s life. From
Aquinas’ point of view, the motive of an action is also crucial, and two apparently
identical acts may be right or wrong because of their motives. Aristotle emphasized that
virtue is practical and that the purpose of ethics is to become good, not merely to know.

Aristotle also claims that the right course of action depends on the details of a
particular situation rather than being generated merely by applying a law. As for
Socrates, in his discussion, he asks what has come to be called the "Euthyphro
Question." Socrates asked if "the pious or holy is beloved by the gods because it is
holy, or holy because it is beloved of the gods?" "Is something good because we
choose it, or is it good because we choose it?" The answer is clearly the former: we
choose it because it is good, and asking these questions helps us develop our laws
based on what it is today. These philosophers shape how our modern view Human
ethics is studied because it influences our society's modern laws. As humans, we have
a very complicated view of ethics; nothing is absolute because different societies have
different perspectives on life and, as a result, different perspectives on what is ethical
and what is not.

The Pro-Life Argument: There are two sides to the argument here: pro-life and
pro-choice. The pro-life movement, as its name implies, opposes abortion and
presents the argument that a life begins at conception and that, according to morality,
aborting a
child or clump of cells, as the pro-choice movement refers to it, is morally wrong and,
for those who are more religiously inclined, is a very serious sin against God.
Concerning the pro-choice movement's belief in a person's bodily autonomy, by having
the woman who will carry the baby for up to nine months choose whether to abort it or
carry it to term, they have many arguments that it is safer than carrying it to term and
the economic benefits of it, using imaginative analogies and imaginative problems that
are beneficial to their beliefs. The examples are: if the pregnancy is risky and the
mother can't carry it to term, would we still let the mother carry it to term? I would like to
quote an article written by Mary Elizabeth Williams, "So What If Abortion Ends Life?" It
gives us a clear assessment of her approach to abortion. "When we on the pro-choice
side get cagey around the life question, it makes us illogically contradictory." I have
friends who have referred to their abortions in terms of "scraping out a bunch of cells"
and then a few years later were exultant over the pregnancies that they unhesitatingly
described in terms of "the baby" and "this kid."

I know women who have been relieved at their abortions and grieved over their
miscarriages. Why can’t we agree that how they felt about their pregnancies was vastly
different but that it’s pretty silly to pretend that what was growing inside them wasn’t the
same? Fetuses aren’t selective like that. They only qualify as human life if they’re
intended to be born. Here’s the complicated reality in which we live: All life is not
created equal. That’s a difficult thing for liberals like me to talk about, lest we wind up
looking like death-panel-loving, kill-your-grandma-and-your-precious-baby storm
troopers.

A fetus, on the other hand, can be a human life while lacking the same rights as
the woman whose body it is in. She’s the boss. Her life and what is right for her
circumstances and her health should automatically trump the rights of the
nonautonomous entity inside of her. Always."As you can see, Mary Elizabeth Williams
clearly explained that all life is not equal. That is, if a mother is having difficulty carrying

2 A DIFFERENT KIND OF PRO-LIFE ARGUMENT - JOHN G. BRUNGARDT

her child to term, the mother's survival is clearly more important than the child she is
carrying. The difference of views on a single topic—what is considered ethical or not—
makes human ethics complicated as it has no absolute; it differs from one community or
society to another, or sometimes, as the examples that have been discussed show,
even within a community, people's views can differ from one another. The ongoing
pursuit of knowledge about what is right or wrong, good or evil, is referred to as "human
ethics."

Human freedom is defined as a socia3l concept that recognizes the dignity of

each and every individual and is a negative liberty, or the absence of coercive
constraint; it is one of a person's basic needs because it is important in the
development of our society. Human freedom enjoys the benefit of being true to yourself
and not being afraid to express what you think. Human freedom is one of the pillars of
our society's laws, as there are numerous published laws that ensure that each and
every one of us can enjoy the benefits of liberty. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights is a type of law that embodies or defines what truly constitutes human rights. It is
a milestone document drafted by the different representatives from different cultural
backgrounds in Paris on December 10, 1948, and it is universally protected and has
been translated into more than 500 languages.

It encompasses all of a person's rights. It has paved the way for more than
seventy human rights treaties to be adopted at the global and regional levels, as well as
in other countries around the world. Let us turn to our own country's laws, the Philippine
Law. The laws enacted under Philippine law take care not to infringe on or violate the
liberties to which we are entitled. So what freedom are humans entitled to according to
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)? According to Article 1 of the
UDHR, "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." No person or
company can own you, and each and every one of us is equal in our rights no matter
where we stand in life.

Article two of the UDHR states that "everyone is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race,
color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth, or other status." One of our basic rights is not to be discriminated
against depending on our race, beliefs, and outer appearances.

Article 3 of the UDHR states that everyone has the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness."

Article 4 states that "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave
trade shall be prohibited in all their forms." No country or person shall own slaves for
their own benefit.

Article 5 of the UDHR states that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel,
inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment." In our laws in the Philippines, we
condemn cruel and unusual punishment.

Article six of the UDHR states that "everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as
a person before the law."

Article 7 of the UDHR states that "All are equal before the law and are entitled, without
any discrimination, to equal protection of the law." "All are entitled to equal protection
against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to
such discrimination." The Philippine law protects everyone, and one of the benefits the
citizens enjoy is the presumption of innocence that everyone is entitled to. The burden
of proof is on the prosecutor's side to convince the judge that you are guilty.

3 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article eight of the UDHR states that "everyone has the right to an effective remedy by
the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by
the constitution or by law."

Article Nine of the UDHR states that "no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest,
detention, or exile."

Article 10 of the UDHR states that "everyone is entitled, in full equality, to a fair and
public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of his rights
and obligations and of any criminal charge against him." Everyone under Philippine
jurisdiction is entitled to a fair and speedy trial.

Article 11 of the UDHR states that "everyone charged with a penal offense has the right
to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a public trial at which he
has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense." Under Philippine law, any
accused can enjoy the presumption of innocence; any accused is deemed innocent
until proven otherwise. Paragraph two of Article Eleven states that "No one shall be
held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not
constitute a penal offense, under national or international law, at the time when it was
committed." "Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at
the time the penal offense was committed." Under the Revised Penal Code of the
Philippines, there is a maxim "sine lege," which means there is no punishment without
law. and laws that are subject to amendment that are penal in nature, one of the
general rules that the RPC follows is that the punishment imposed on the crime is the
one that is effective on the commission of the crime.

Article 12 of the UDHR states that "no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference
with his privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and
reputation." Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference
or attacks. Law enforcement is prohibited by Philippine law from entering the home of
the accused without a warrant of arrest, as this violates the human right to privacy.

Article 13 of the UDHR states that "everyone has the right to freedom of movement and
residence within the borders of each state." and "Everyone has the right to leave any
country, including his own, and to return to his country." Under Philippine law, the
government cannot restrict the movement of its citizens unless there is a legitimate
threat to their safety.

Article 14 of the UDHR provides that "everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in
other countries asylum from persecution." and "This right may not be invoked in the
case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to
the purposes and principles of the United Nations."

Article 15 of the UDHR provides that "everyone has the right to a nationality." "No one
shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality or denied the right to change his
nationality."

Article 16 of the UDHR provides that "Men and women of full age, without any limitation
due to race, nationality, or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family."
"They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage, and at its
dissolution."

"Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending
spouses."

"The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to
protection by society and the state."

Article seventeen of the UDHR says, "Everyone has the right to own property alone as
well as in association with others."4

4 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

"No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property." Under Philippine law, the
government cannot deprive anyone of their right to their property without providing
proper compensation and having a legitimate reason for the acquisition.

Article eighteen of the UDHR states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought,
conscience, and religion; this right includes the freedom to change his religion or belief
and the freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to
manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance." The
separation of church and state is strongly emphasized in the Philippine Constitution,
which means that everyone under Philippine jurisdiction has the freedom to practice
their religion without interference from the government.

Article Nineteen of the UDHR states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to
seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers." The Philippine Constitution expressly states that its citizens have the right to
freely express their grievances to the governm5ent.

Article 20 of the UDHR says, "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly
and association." "No one may be compelled to belong to an association."

Article twenty-one of the UDHR says, "Everyone has the right to take part in the
government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives."

"Everyone in his country has the right to equal access to public service."

"The will of the people shall be the foundation of government authority; this will shall be
expressed in periodic and genuine elections, held by universal and equal suffrage and
by secret vote or equivalent free voting procedures."

Article Twenty-two of the UDHR states: "Everyone, as a member of society, has the
right to social security and is entitled to the realization, through national effort and
international cooperation, and in accordance with the organization and resources of
each state, of the economic, social, and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and
the free development of his personality."

Article 23 of the UDHR says, "Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of
employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and to protection
against unemployment."

"Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work."

"Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration, ensuring for
himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if
necessary, by other means of social protection."

"Everyone has the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests."

One of the examples of Philippine law on the right to work is the Labor Code of the
Philippines.

Article 24 of the UDHR states, "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including
reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay." This is also
under the Labor Code of the Philippines.

Article 25 of the UDHR states: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate
for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing,
housing, medical care, and necessary social services; and the right to security in the

5 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of
livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

"Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance." "All children,
whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection." This right is
protected in Philippine law under the Family Code of the Philippines.

According to Article 26.6 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "everyone has
the right to an education." Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and
fundamental stages. Elementary education will be mandated; "Technical and
professional education shall be made generally available, and higher education shall be
equally accessible to all on the basis of merit."

"Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the
strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms." "It shall promote
understanding, tolerance, and friendship among all nations, whether racial or religious
groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of
peace."

"Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their
children."

The government of the Philippines recognizes the importance of the education of its
citizens by creating government agencies that are focused on that education.

Article Twenty-seven of the UDHR says, "Everyone has the right freely to participate in
the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts, and to share in scientific
advancement and its benefits."

"Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting
from any scientific, literary, or artistic production of which he is the author."

Article Twenty-eight of the UDHR states: "Everyone is entitled to a social and

international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be
fully realized."

Article 24.9 of the UDHR says, "Everyone has duties to the community, in which alone
the free and full development of his personality is possible."

"In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such
limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition
and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements
of morality, public order, and the general welfare in a democratic society."

"These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and
principles of the United Nations."

Article Thirty of the UDHR states: "Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as
implying for any state, group, or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform
any act aimed at the destruct6ion of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein."

As you can see, the Philippine Constitution and its statutes fully respect the human
rights of its citizens, and they also help guide the promulgation of the law.

6 Universal Declaration of Human Rights