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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Learning Module
in
introduction
to philosophy

(Week 6)
 LESSON 6
MAN AS FREEDOM (Title)
A. Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices (5.1); Realize that: a. Choices have
consequences b. Some things are given up while others are obtained in making choices
(PPT11/12-IIb-5.2) and Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the
consequences of their choices (PPT11/12-IIb-5.3) - Competency and the code
OBJECTIVES
a.) Define freedom
b.) Show situations that exercise prudence of choice; and
b.) Realize that there are consequences in making choices.

B. Read and understand the text

What is freedom? What is the essence of freedom?

Freedom is an intrinsic and essential property of the person. This means that the human
person by nature is 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.

Let’s compare how animals and human persons behave to get a better understanding of
freedom. We see some animals behave like human beings because they seem to perform
action in response to commands. A well trained dog can perform certain tasks on command
such as “stay” or “fetch” because it has been trained and conditioned to perform them. The
same cannot be said about human beings. You cannot just approach a stranger, toss him a
ball, and say “Fetch!” Otherwise, you will be punched on the face.

The human person does not experience the world in the same way that animals do. Animals act
instinctively, meaning, their actions are more likely predetermined responses to certain stimuli.
A person, on the other hand, can choose the course of action to take to given a stimulus or
faced with a certain situation. You may expect your dog to always respond in the same way to
your commands. With us humans, our inherent freedom makes us very dynamic creatures and
our actions do not necessarily follow a set of pattern or a pre-determined course.

Freedom is also understood as the power to be what you want to be and the ability to decide
and create yourself. You may have a good idea of your personal identity at this point in your
life. Though we have certain inherent traits such as physical attributes and temperament, many
of the characteristics that define our personality are often a product of our choices. Our talents
for instance, are developed to their fullest only if we choose to dedicate time and effort to
improve them. Our preferences and views are other aspects of our personality that we freely

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

adopt. You may have also imagined yourself as a successful professional in the future. Your
nature as a human person gives you the ability to imagine that future.

Your freedom, meanwhile, gives you the ability to strive to achieve that goal. Freedom is
rooted in the human person’s self-determination and the exercise of intellect and free
will. This means that a person’s every action is freely determined and these actions define him
or her. 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. This is the
nature of self-determination: that a person’s actions determine what kind of person he or
she becomes.

Freedom gives us the choice to undertake possible actions. It also enables us to come up with
new choices. For instance, you may laugh at a person who accidentally broke the flower vase
on the table but decide to help him to clean it later. The essence of freedom is that it does not
confine our actions to those set or expected by others; we can imagine new actions and decide
to undertake them.

Freedom also requires a degree of control from the person who exercises it. A person becomes
more free when he or she exercises control over himself or herself. On the other hand, a person
becomes less free when he or she is no longer in control of himself or herself and is instead
controlled by other forces.

What makes us free? How does freedom shape our experience?

There are two elements that define our freedom:

a. Voluntariness
It refers to the ability of a person to act out of his or her own freewill and self-
determination. This means that a person may decide to act or not to act, and these
decisions are made out of his or her own free will. Voluntariness also means that a
person may act even if he or she is not required or called to take action. Voluntary acts
are free acts which can be assigned a corresponding moral value.

b. Responsibility
It refers to the person being accountable for his or her actions and their
consequences. Taking responsibility can either mean a person voluntarily taking
responsibility for his or her own actions, or being held responsible by other people.
Whenever you know you committed a bad action, you can either voluntary confess to it
or other people will point it out and hold you responsible. Responsibility can also have a
positive and negative meaning, and it goes hand-in-hand with voluntariness in
determining the morality of an action.

Another reality that we have to face as we exercise our freedom is the fact that freedom is
experienced through the act of making choices. Although human freedom gives us the

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

 ability to think of countless decisions and possible actions, we only get to choose to enact one
of these possible actions or decisions. Having the ability to choose and enact a course of action
does not automatically mean that we should take action every time. It is also possible that the
choice not to take action may be an acceptable and moral choice in a given situation.

How can I exercise my freedom in a responsible and beneficial manner?

a. Human freedom should be exercised with control and a recognition of reasonable

limits
We set limits to our own freedom and learn to moderate or control our thoughts,
emotions, and actions depending on the situation. A person can even choose to limit his
or her own freedom or even surrender it entirely if it will result in greater benefits

b. Freedom should also be exercised with regard for knowledge and truth.
As rational beings, it is natural for us to think before we act. We use our freedom to act
and acquire more knowledge, and we use this knowledge in order to come up with
decisions and courses of actions when confronted with difficult situations.

The ability to acquire information and truthful knowledge regarding a particular situation
is very important, since it aids us in making wise and informed choices.

c. We should also recognize and uphold not only our individual freedom but also the
freedom of others.
As human person, our nature drives us to uphold human dignity and goodness. This
view has led to the assertion that freedom is a recognized and guaranteed right of all
persons. Many societies identify certain freedoms and should be enjoyed by all as these
contribute to the quality of life of the individual and the welfare of society.

C. ACTIVITY 1
Based on the text above, write below your own understanding of the following terms:
1. Freedom
2. Voluntariness
3. Responsibility

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

D. ACTIVITY 2

Analyse the following situations. Give your recommendations on how the persons involve can exercise
freedom more responsibly.

1. Julia’s family is well-known for being wealthy and influential. However, her family
faced hard times in the previous year because of the pandemic COVID-19. Her
father’s business closed and they were forced to sell most of their possesions and
live a much simpler life. Julia, however, wishes to maintain her image among her
friends. She resorted to borrowing money from relatives in order to keep up with her
well-off barkada.
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2. Gladys was very angry when she heard that her friend Julia was spreading mean
gossip about her in school. When Gladys found out that Julia has been pretending to
be rich when in fact her family is now poor, she contacted her friends and told them
about it.
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E. REMEMBER!

Freedom has various perspectives. Freedom is a gift that should not be squandered but
taken as a wonderful gift that must be nurtured and protected without imposing the rights
or freedom of others. Therefore, it is not enough that the human being is free but that one
is conscious of one’s responsibility for the consequence of one’s choices.

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

F. REFLECT ON THIS!

What is the most significant decision that you have ever made in your life so far? Describe
how this has affected you? What are the consequences of your choice?
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Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person