FREEDOM
FREEDOM
FREEDOM
OF THE
HUMAN PERSON
■This lesson highlights freedom from
the intellectual, political, spiritual,
and economic aspects. To be free
is a part of humanity`s authenticity.
REALIZE THAT “ACTION HAVE CONSEQUENCES.”
A. ARISTOTLE
■ The power of Volition
• The power of Volition(the power to make your own choice or
decisions) – The imperative quality of a judgement of practical
intellect is meaningless, apart from will.
• Reason can legislate (control), but only through will can its
legislation be translated into action.
• If there is 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, worthy or worthless.
This is borne out by:
• The will of humanity is an instrument of free choice. It is within the
power of everyone to be good or bad, worthy or worthless. This is
borne out by:
– Our inner awareness of an aptitude to do right or wrong;
– The common testimony of all human beings;
– The rewards and punishment of rulers
– The general employment of praise and blame.
• Moral acts, which are always particular acts, are in our power and we
are responsible for them. Character or habit is no excuse for immoral
conduct. (e.g. cutting classes)
Action
Will
Reason
Freedom
(General will or
mutual transferring
of rights)
Citizens
(individual Rights)
• 20th century gave rise to the importance of the individual, the opposite of medieval
thought that was God.
• For Ayn Rand, individual mind is the tool for economic progress, since the mind is
important, the sector that molds it should not be controlled by the government.
• Rand believes that thinking is volitional. A person has the freedom to think or not.
• Rand cited the right to gain, to keep, to use, and to dispose of material values. Most
developed countries have disposed their toxic wastes developing countries.
• Filipinos embraced family and political parties. For the Filipinos, one does not only
fulfill reasons of the mind but of the heart and personal involvement as well.
• Filipinos look at themselves as holistic from interior dimensions under the principle
of harmony. •It aspires harmony with others and nature to be in
• Filipinos loob is the basis of Christian value of sensitivity to the needs of others and gratitude. It
encompassed give and take relationship among Filipinos.
• As such, repaying those who have helped us is a manifestation of utang na loob or debt of
gratitude. Loob prioritized family, relatives, and even non-kinsmen (male relative).
• It bridges individual differences and is the common factor among human beings
• The concept of Rand`s free individual and Filipino`s view of the free human being may have
differences but can be overcome.
• The potential of the Filipino should be able to grow so that he will be aware of his uniqueness.
Children should be brought up to the identity of the members of the family and simultaneously
with that of the nation.
• Self-sufficiency (kasarinlan) should recognize human worth and dignity.
• Kagandahang loob, kabutihang loob and kalooban are terms that show sharing of one`s self to
others. Loob puts one in touch with his fellow beings.
5.4
Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the
consequences of their choices
• According to Rand, individual freedom should be aligned with economic freedom. The
Filipino harmony can be a helping value to the full development of Filipino if it opens
up to embrace the whole Philippine society.
• There are cases where the Filipino may adversely affect the social and financial
status of the one moving upward the social ladder. For instance, the more well-off
members of a family share their gains with their relatives and friends in need.
• Sometimes, the beneficiaries of the monetary assistance (utang or loan) just use the
money for non-essentials. Where there are more important concerns that should be
prioritized.
• As leader or manager with “magandang kalooban” is not passive but plays active role
in economic development. Leaders should not just focus on the impact of job
performance but treats every individual worker as persons and not as objects.
• kasarinlan” promotes entrepreneurship which minimize foreign control of Filipinos.
• Individualism should be tied with social responsibility and should not
be just “tayo-tayo” or “kami-kami”. Our own individuality should be
interact with others.
• As individuals who are free, Filipinos should recognize their own
brand of uniqueness, instead of copying foreign cultures.
• For Aristotle and Rand, reason and will or volition is part of our being
human. In relation to this, Filipinos had proven matured thinking,
pertaining to EDSA revolution.
• The decision Is based on the Filipinos` belief in freedom. They also
voluntarily risked their lives as they face danger. Again, the EDSA
Revolution is one example of social contract as discussed earlier in
this lesson.
THANK YOU
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