Lesson 5

FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN

PERSON
Fill in the circles with words that you associate
with FREEDOM. Create a concept web based
on the one shown below.

FREEDOM

1. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES US FREE?

2. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE ARE FREE?
3. DO YOU USE YOUR FREEDOM RESPONSIBLY?
What is freedom? what is the essence
of freedom?
• C:\Users\User\Downloads\ME- Freedom of
the Human Person.mp4
• C:\Users\User\Downloads\What is
freedom.mp4
Freedom is an intrinsic and essential
property of a person
• The human person is by nature
free and seeks freedom.
• Our freedom to act sets us apart
from other beings.
Freedom is also understood to be the
power to create and define oneself
• It is also rooted in the person’s
self determination an the
exercise of intellect and free will
 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 good person and to act in a
good way
• A good act makes a person better while 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.
 Samuel is carrying a heavy load of books
along hallway when he suddenly loses his
balance and drop all the books.
• Imagine that you are one of his classmates who
witnessed this.
• Which among the situations will be most truthful
reactions?
A. You may choose not to help Samuel and just
ignore him while he picks his books.
B. You may also choose to help him pick up his
books
C. You may laugh at him and refuse to help.
• Freedom gives us the choice to undertake one
of these possible actions.
• It also enables us to come up with new
choices.
• For instance, some may laugh at Samuel, but
decide to help him 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.
• Reflecting upon your actions will enable you
to know yourself better as a person.
• Your actions also determine if you uphold
human dignity and freedom.
• Having freedom, however, also entails
responsibilities.
• It is possible for a person to diminish or
negate freedom through the choices and
actions that he or she makes.
• 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.
• 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. ( ex.
Addiction, act solely, behave erratically and
impulsively.)
• Persons who denied their freedom by
individuals, groups, and institutions are also
dehumanized.
• Slavery is a dehumanizing act because a
person is forced to work for life without the
possibility of ever leaving a life of bondage.
• A person who is imprisoned is also
dehumanized because he or she is denied for
his or her freedom and is confined to prison
life.
 KINDS OF FREEDOM
1. PHYSICAL FREEDOM- refers to the absence of
any physical restraint.
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL FREEDOM- is the freedom
of choice.
3. MORAL FREEDOM- refers to the to the
responsible use of freedom which upholds
human dignity and goodness.
 What makes us free? How does
freedom shape our experiences?
Two elements that define freedom:
VOLUNTARINESS- refers to the ability of a
person to act out of his or her own free will
and self determination. A person may act or
not to act, and these decisions are made out
of his or her own free will.
• RESPONSIBILITY- refers to the person being
accountable for his or her actions and their
consequences.

• Without these two elements, human freedom

is diminished, and the person makes imperfect
actions and unwise decisions which may have
negative effects on the self and others.
 We can therefore begin to examine
our actions, habits, and behavior by
asking ourselves the ff. questions:
• What should I do?
• Why should I do it?
• What will happen if I do it?
• How will my actions or behavior affect
myself, others, and my surroundings?
• Will my actions or behavior be considered
correct, proper, beneficial, and moral?
 Freedom is experienced through the
act of making choices
• When we make the choice to do a particular
action, we can never go back and redo our
actions and make another choice.
• Self reflection is vital in the proper exercise of
human freedom.
 Discuss

1. Why are voluntariness and responsibility

important elements of freedom?
2. Is the choice of “doing nothing” a valid and
moral choice? In what situation is this choice
acceptable?
3. How can self- reflection aid you in exercising
and making choices?
 Summarize your ideas on freedom by
completing the table. Copy the table and write
your responses in each column.

I am free As a free
because person, I must
Responsibility Freedom
Psychological Freedom
Voluntariness Physical Freedom
1. This is the ability to make choices and perform
actions, and is an intrinsic and essential property of
the human person.
2. This is freedom from any physical restraint.
3. This is the freedom of choice.
4. This is the ability to act out of one’s own free will and
self determination.
5. This refers to the person being accountable for his or
her actions and their consequences.
 Reflect
1. In what way can you change or improve your
behavior so that you will be better able to
uphold human freedom?
2. What is the most significant decision that you
have made in your life so far? Describe how
this affected you.
 Apply
Reflect on your past experience and
identify a moment when you believed
you “had no choice” regarding your
actions and decisions, or you made a
choice that you eventually regretted.
Reevaluate that situation using the
various views on human freedom.