FREEDOM OF THE

HUMAN PERSON
What makes us free?How does
freedom shape our experience?
■ Two elements that define Freedom
■ Voluntariness-refers to ability of a person to act out of his/her own free will
and determination. It also means that a person may act even of he/she is
not required or called to take action.
■ As we do our action or decision, its result a.causes and effect's or
consequences.As a free being,the person must accept the consequences
of his/her actions and take responsibility for them.
■ Responsibility-refers to the person being accountably for his/her actions
and their consequences. It can also have a positive or negative meaning,
and it goes hand-in-hand with voluntariness in determining the morality of
an action.
■ Freedom is experienced through the act of making choices,although
human freedom gives us ability to think of countless decision and possible
actions. It also possible that the choice not to take action may be an
acceptable and moral choice in given situation
 Kinds of Freedom Physical
Freedom
■ 1.Physical freedom
■ refers to the absence of any physical restraint. The person
has the freedom of mobility to go where he or she wants to
go. He or she is not impeded in “ his or her actions by any
physical force. Granted that the person has natural
limitations, physical freedom allows him or her to act and
move in a determined manner. You cannot be everywhere
at once, but your freedom allows you to move from one
place ‘to another and to go wherever you want to go.
 Kinds of Freedom Physical
Freedom
■ 2.Psychological Freedom
■ also called freedom of choice. The person is free to
perform actions that he or she considers right and
wise. A person is also free to act or not to act.
Psychological freedom is innate and cannot be
denied a person. No outside force or influence can
compel a person to take action against his or her
will.
 Kinds of Freedom Physical
Freedom
■ 3. Moral Freedom
■ refers‘to using freedom in a manner that upholds human
dignity and goodness. Freedom is not an object that a
person may usein whatever way he or she pleases. A
person must use his or her freedom to grow as a person. A
person becomes more free when he or she uses freedom
wen, but becomes less free when ' he‘or she uses it in a
bad way. Humans have a natural inclination for what is true
and good; and when a person uses his or hehfreedom to do
acts that violate human dignity and goodness; he or she
dehumanizes himself or herself and effectively negates
human freedom.
HOW CAN I EXERCISE MY
FREEDOM IN A
RESPONSIBLE AND
BENEFICIAL MANNER?
Jonathan Fantone and Ken Fernandez
 How can I exercise my freedom
in a responsible and beneficial
manner?
■ 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 a: limit his or her own freedom or even surrender it entirely if it
will result in greater benefits.
 How can I exercise my freedom
in a responsible and beneficial
manner?
■ 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. To correctly answer a multiple choice
item in an exam, a student should study and prepare
beforehand to know the correct information needed to
answer the test. Otherwise, he or she will be unable to
answer the test correctly.
How can I exercise my freedom
in a responsible and beneficial
manner?
■ As human persons, our nature drives us to uphold human dignity
and goodness. In exercising our freedom,
■ we should also recognize and uphold not only our individual
freedom but also the freedom of others.
■ This view has led to the assertion that freedom is a recognized and
guaranteed right for all persons. Many societies identify certain
freedoms that should be enjoyed by all, as these contribute to the
quality of life of the individual and the welfare of society. These
include the freedom to live and determine one's identity; freedom
from slavery and other constraints; freedom of speech; and freedom
of thought, conscience, and religion. Freedom should be exercised
with due regard for the welfare of other persons and one's freedom
should be exercised not as a tool to restrict the freedom of others,
but as a means to enable others to fully enjoy their Own freedom