GRADE 12: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

MODULE 6: FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON

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 GRADE 12: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

LESSON 6: THE HUMAN PERSON AS A FREE BEING

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MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

 Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices; (PPT11/12-IIa-5.2)

 Realize that:
a. Choices have consequences.
b. Some things are given up while others are obtained in making choices;
(PPT11/12-IIb-5.3)
 Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice. (PPT11/12-IIc-5.4)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The learners should be able to:

 Understand the meaning of freedom and its two types;
 Evaluate and exercise prudence and how it works in human freedom;
 Realize and value all their choices and its corresponding consequences;
 Shows situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the consequences of
their action.

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Introduction!


Existence can only become significant when the human person realizes his/her
personal freedom, his/her inter-subjectivity, commitment, and responsibility.
Nobody should decide for him/her on the kind of life he/she wants to live. It is up
to him/her to decide on it – for he/she is the only one responsible to his/her action – The
Existentialists.

THINK!
1. Should freedom be absolute? Yes or no? If yes, why?
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2. If freedom is limited, what would be its limits?
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3. Who should determine the limits of freedom? Why?

AN AUTHORITARIAN LEADER THE GREAT MAJORITY INDIVIDUAL OR SELF

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DISCUSSION!

WHAT IS FREEDOM?
Freedom (in tagalog “kalayaan”) is the power or
inherent right of the human person to act, speak or think
what one pleases as long as it is right. According also to
Corpuz et. al. (2016), it is our capacity to make decisions,
choose our life path and direct the course of our live
through our own steering.
For Existentialist, freedom is concrete. It is not
just words. It means that it must be acted upon. Thus,
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the role of the human person is to exercise his/her
freedom.
Existentialist argue that the freedom should not only be conceived as an idea or
notion. For them, freedom is something that we need to exercise through our choices.

THE TWO TYPES OF FREEDOM

According to Isaiah Berlin (1958), there are two (2) types of freedom: the positive
and negative freedom.
a. Positive Freedom (freedom to) – it is a kind of freedom the requires active effort
on the person who is said to be free. “Freedom to” choose what we will do to our
lives, to set goals, and to work for us to achieve our goals. It should be free to
become autonomous and realize the potential of an individual and the ability to
grow and transcend freely. In this freedom, the application of the responsibility is
strictly implemented.
The fullest development of positive freedom is impossible without a further
development of negative freedom – people cannot be forced to be free.
b. Negative Freedom (freedom from) – it refers to the absence of intervention. It
is the freedom from any block, coercion or interference. “Freedom from”
constraints. The things which individuals can do without fear of government
control or restraint. It should be free from absence of external constraints on

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individual – people act in the way they want. For an example, the freedom of
speech.

LET’S DO IT!
Directions: Imagine you are this free person and you are given to do anything you want
in just one (1) day. Kindly enumerate the things that you want to do without the restraints
from others or laws.

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1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________

EXISTENTIALIST VIEW: A SUMMARY

 Freedom as such is good, but sometimes becomes bad.
 Freedom should always be attuned to the nature of man because it is only human
being where he/she can exercise his/her freedom.
 Man is free to do anything he/she wants to do, but he/she is not free from the
consequences of his/her actions.

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THEORIES ABOUT HUMAN FREEDOM

However, some philosophers believe that Freedom and Free will is nonsense
and an illusion. They created a three (3) theories about human freedom, these are
Libertarianism, Compatibilism, and Hard Determinism

Libertarianism

For libertarianism, it is only the self or the mind of a human person that produces
these free choices through the power of its will. The believe that human actions are
“freely” chosen. It is all about the mental states – it is the states of the mind such as
beliefs and desires.

Compatibilism or Soft Determinism

It holds that we can have free will even if the future is determined. We are free
and responsible for our actions as long as these actions are caused in the right way. This
is also considered the “Principle of Alternate Possibilities.”

Hard Determinism

It believes that the past completely determines the future. Since all future events
are caused by past events, the future is causally determined. It is not within our power
to shape the future. Free will is an illusion.

THINK!
Directions: Write the connection of these three (3) terms.

FREEDOM CHOICES PHILOSOPHY

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HOW PRUDENCE IN HUMAN FREEDOM WORKS

All human persons want to be happy. We want to chase good in a way that it can
make us happy. This means we have to acquire how to act well which involves an
attaining of virtue. If that sounds difficult, let us make it more simple: Virtue is about
doing the right things, and if we do that things, we will become happy. But what is the
first thing we need if we want to do the right thing? Well obviously, we need to know
what is the right thing we need to do. This is where the prudence comes into the picture.
Prudence means making a wise decision. In the context of human freedom,
prudence is selecting the right means for bringing us towards human freedom. Prudence
demands two aspects: First, knowing the principles, knowing what the goods of human
nature, and that we must work towards them and never against them; Secondly, know
how to relate and apply the principles to the real situation.

STEPS IN PRUDENTIAL ACT

Let us look on how to create a prudent decision. There are three (3) steps that we
must take if we want to practice prudence in making choices.
Step 1: Deliberation: This is the step where we gather all the important information,
starting with consideration of moral principles. This includes awareness and acceptance
of the Church’s teachings, since it gives us true principles. While deliberating, we must
also give a careful analysis on the real situation, to be assured that we have understood
it as fully as possible.

Step 2: Judgment: After deliberating, we must evaluate all the evidence fairly, and then
figure out the best way of action. Judgment separates the important information from
the inappropriate information, and then applies it to the problem.

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Step 3: Execution: Once we evaluate the right thing to do, we have to act. It refers to
the implementation and actualization of what we believe or decide to act and perform.
You do not have the virtue of prudence until you actually do what you have judge to be
right.

THINK!
Directions: Put a check (√) in the box if the scenario shows responsible use of freedom.
Put an “X” if otherwise.

While his parents were on vacation, Juan invited his schoolmates over to their
house for an overnight party. Neighbors called the police to complain about the
noise made by the partygoers, while a bonfire on the yard almost burned down
part of the house.
Instead of spending her excess allowance on new shoes, Patricia decided to open
a bank account and start saving up for her future.
Despite the threats made on his life, the witness decided to come forward and
divulge important information regarding the crime he witnessed.
A woman used the internet to humiliate her ex-boyfriend by spreading lewd photos
of him on social media.
Despite being told not to travel to other countries, a seriously-ill businessman still
continued on his vacation overseas.
A man dives into traffic to grab and save girl who is about to get hit by a speeding
car.
Despite knowing that many of his clients were poor and desperate, a moneylender
continues to impose very high interest rates on loans.
A businessman resigned from a lucrative position in an overseas firm to start his
own business and spend more time with his family.

CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES

Imagine you going out to a restaurant to eat and ordering a salad, only you to
know from the waiter that may not have it, that the only available is soup. How would
you feel if you are in that situation? The choice between soup and salad is equally safe
one, but it determines a characteristic of human nature. We don’t like to be forced into
decisions that we are capable of making for ourselves. We repel pressure, even we are
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facing more serious decision with moral implications, it is important for us to choose for
ourselves.

Sometimes, people make risky choices which aren’t important in themselves, but
its lead to tragedies. For example, an adolescent chooses to ride with a close friend who
has been drinking, causing in a serious accident and the loss of life.

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SITUATIONS DEMONSTRATING THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND THE

CONSEQUENCES OF CHOICE

Some people seem to take pride in never taking a stand or making a hard choice.
They think themselves as being mellow and tolerant. “Live and let live” is their attitude.
Being tolerant and non-judgmental can be good traits, which preserved the right for all
to choose for themselves. But doing nothing is a choice itself and not a very good one.
Neither letting other people, society or political institutions make decisions for you.

Every day we have choices to make, and each choice that we create has a result
or consequence. If you choose to not sleep, as a result you will be tired. If you choose
not to eat, as a result you will be hungry. Making choice is like picking up a stick. When
you pick up one end of a stick, the other end always comes with it. When you make a
choice, a consequence always comes with it.

Some consequences come quickly after you make a choice. Sometimes you may
not recognize a consequence until long after you make the choice. But eventually, there
is always a consequence.

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LET’S REFLECT!
Directions: Below is a reflection figure that looks like a human figure. Fill in each part
of the reflection figure. Determine what you have learned (the knowledge that serves
as your foundation to stand and keep), the things you have realized and appreciated
(attitudes toward learning) and the things that you have discovered (skills that you will
cherish in life)

Things I have learned

(Knowledge)

Things I have realized

and appreciated
(Attitudes)

Things I have
discovered
(Skills)

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LET’S DO THIS!
Directions: What does “I AM FREE!” mean to you? Write down the reasons why you
are free using the acronym.

I-

A-

M-

F-

R-

E-

E-

LET’S DO THIS!
Directions: As a free being, write your own reflections on the following topics below.
1. “Everything we think, say and do has consequence for us and for others.”
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2. “Every human person must recognize the right of freedom in others.”
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3. “Take time in consideration, but once you have reached a judgment, act quickly
and decisively.”
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REFERENCES

BOOK/S
 Abella, R. D. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. C & E
Publishing, Inc.
 Ariola, M. M. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person.
Unlimited Books Library Services & Publishing, Inc.
 Ramos, C. C. R. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Rex
Book Store, Inc.
 Sioco, M. P. G., & Vinzons, I. H. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Human Person. Vibal Group, Inc.
 Sy, D. I. B., & Basas, A. A. (2018). Philosophy of the Human Person: An
Introduction. Abiva Publishing House, Inc.

INTERNET RESOURCES
 Warburton, N. (2016). Two Concepts of Freedom. The Open University.
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/mod/oucontent/view.php?printable=1&id
=1747
 Williams, T. (2016). The Problem of Free Will. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/t0nywilliams/the-problem-of-free-will

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