LESSON 1

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FREEDOM OF
THE HUMAN
PERSON
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FREEDOM
 The human capacity to act (or not to act) as we
choose or prefer without any external compulsion
or restraint.
 It is an intrinsic and essential property of a person.
 Important indication of human freedom is the
ability to MAKE CHOICES and PERFORM
ACTIONS. Our freedom to act sets us apart from
other beings
 ANIMALS HUMANS
• Respond to commands • Can choose the
• Trained and course of action to
conditioned to perform take when given a
• Act instinctively stimulus or faced
(actions are with a certain
predetermined situation
responses to certain
stimuli)
 ARISTOTLE
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(POWER OF VOLITION)
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POWER OF VOLITION
 Volition in this sense is the faculty or power
to use or discharge one’s will.
 If there were no intellect, there would be no
will. The will of humanity is an instrument of
free choice. It is within the power of
everyone to be good or bad, or worthy or
worthless
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POWER OF VOLITION
 The happiness of every human being is in
his own hands, to preserve and develop, or
to cast away.
 For Aristotle, a human being is rational.
Reason is a divine characteristic. If there
were no intellect, there would be no will.
 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
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(FREEDOM IS SPIRITUALITY
AND LOVE)
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FREEDOM IS
SPIRITUALITY AND LOVE
 Freedom, for St. Thomas, is the manner
intellectual beings seek universal goodness. It is
a condition of the will arising from our nature
being in the kind of world that we inhabit.
 St. Thomas considers the human being as a
moral agent.
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FREEDOM IS
SPIRITUALITY AND LOVE
 Our spirituality separates us from animals; it
delineates moral dimension of our fulfillment in
an action. Through our spirituality, we have a
conscience. Whether we choose to be “good” or
“evil” becomes our responsibility.
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FREEDOM IS
SPIRITUALITY AND LOVE
 St. Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica)
establishes the existence of God as a first
cause. And as God’s creations, human beings
have the unique power to change themselves
and things around them for the better.
 We have a conscience because of our
spirituality
 JEAN PAUL SARTRE
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(INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM)
 INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
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 Existentialism is a philosophical movement

known for its inquiry on human existence, which
means “to exist”.
 For Sartre, the human person builds the road to
the destiny of his/her choosing; he/she is the
creator.
 INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
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 Sartre’s Existentialism stems from this principle:

existence precedes essences.
 Sartre emphasizes the importance of free
individual choice, regardless of the power of
other people to influence and coerce our
desires, beliefs, and decisions.
THOMAS HOBBES, JEAN-
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JACQUES ROUSSEAU
AND JOHN LOCKE
(THEORY OF SOCIAL
CONTRACT)
 THEORY OF SOCIAL
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CONTRACT

 Hobbes, Rousseau and Locke define the

freedom of an individual in the context of having
a government to rule them (contract), which is
the basis of notion of moral obligation and duty.
 THEORY OF SOCIAL
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CONTRACT
 Social Contract- an agreement where
individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom
and submit to a higher authority.
 It is a necessity that we must assure for the
government and people to work as one. From
this understanding also arises certainty that we
have freedom.
 KINDS OF FREEDOM
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 PHYSICAL FREEDOM
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 Refers to the absence of any PHYSICAL

RESTRAINT. The person has the freedom of
mobility to go where he/ she wants to go.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL
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FREEDOM

 Also called as “freedom of choice”.

 The person is free to perform actions that he/
she considers right and wise. A person is also
free to act or not to act.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL
FREEDOM
 Psychological freedom is INNATE and CANOT BE
DENIED AS A PERSON.
Example:
1. Freedom to choose your friends

2. Freedom to choose your partner

3. Freedom to choose your course in college

4. Freedom to be what you want to be

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MORAL FREEDOM

 Using freedom in a manner that

upholds human dignity and goodness.
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MORAL FREEDOM
Example:
1. Doing charitable works
2. Participating on outreach activities
3. Being sensitive to the needs of other
4. Being prudent on the use of social media
5. Participating volunteer works
 POSITIVE AND
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NEGATIVE FREEDOM
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POSITIVE FREEDOM
 It is a kind of freedom that requires active
effort; has control or mastery of his/
herself and has the strength to do what is
good.
 This is doing the right thing and exercising
our freedom in a responsible manner.
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NEGATIVE FREEDOM

 Refers to the “absence of interference”;

absence of coercion or interference.
 The Freedom whatever you want. It’s
considered negative because you failed to
use freedom in a responsible manner.
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ABSOLUTE FREEDOM

 No form of hindrance that would prevent

from doing what you want.
 SHOULD
FREEDOM BE
ABSOLUTE?