PHILOSOPHY (Finals)

FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON

FREE – a part of humanity’s authenticity

“FREEDOM” – Anglo-Saxon word combining the words “free”

and “doom”

“FREE” – not having a halter, friend, peace, love, dear, noble

“DOOM” – law and personal judgment or opinion

A free person follows his own way considered personal judgment

which is within the law.

RULES OF LIFE

1. Actions have consequences.

2. There is no reset, undo, or edit button in life.
3. You’re the only person responsible for your actions.
4. You’re free to choose whatever action you want to
take but you are not free from the consequences.
5. Doing nothing is an action.

A. ARISTOTLE – POWER OF VOLITION

- The imperative quality of a judgment of practical intellect is

meaningless – apart from WILL. Reason can legislate but only
through WILL can its legislation be translated into actions. The
task of practical intellect is to guide will by enlightening it. Will is
to be understood in terms of intellect.

No intellect = No will

WILL OF HUMANITY – an instrument of choice. Borne out by:

1. Our inner awareness of an aptitude to do right and

wrong.
2. The common testimony of all human beings.
3. The rewards and punishments of rulers.
4. The general employment of praise/blame.

B. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS – FREEDOM IS LOVE

The purpose of human being is to be happy so one has to live a

virtuous life.

LOVE – calls & invites. Choose love in governing humanity’s life.

Since God is love then the love is the guiding principle of
humanity toward his self perception & happiness.

Types of Love

1. “EROS” or Erotic Love

-Greeks considered this to be dangerous as it
involves a “loss of control”
-a passionate and intense form of love that
arouses romantic and sexual pleasure
-when misguided, Eros can lead to broken
heartedness and loneliness

2. “PHILIA” or Affectionate Love

-Ancient Greeks said this is above Eros because
this was considered a love between equals
-felt among friends who’ve endured hard times
together
-friendship