Introduction to the Philosophy of

the Human Person

Quarter 2 – Module 3
Freedom of the Human Person
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin
Regional EPS: Shiela C. Bulawan
Division EPS: Presyl A. Bello

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN PERSON

INTRODUCTION
Have you ever faced a challenging situation in your life? What
does it feel like to be in such a dilemma? Were you able to
make it through?
When you were a child, the things that bother you are the
simple ones. Like, at noontime, you have to decide if you're
going to sleep in your room or play with your friends outside.
Now, at your age, many problems and situations are coming in
and out of your life. That is part of growing up. That is part of
life. As time goes by, these never before seen situations are
becoming more challenging than ever. According to the first
Rule of Evolution, "life is destined to become more complex." And along with it,
problems become more complex too. The discovery of the coronavirus disease
brought us to a new and unfamiliar scenario. The question about the necessity to
continue education amidst the pandemic is only one of the many dilemmas we're
experiencing right now. We do not know when this will end, but with our ability to
decide, someday, we're going to surpass this.
In your current disposition, are you prepared to face such circumstances?
If not, don't worry! In this module, you will be guided by the principles in decision
making when it comes to different situations. Also, you will learn about the
concept of situated freedom and many other exciting ideas.
Are you ready? Let's begin!

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Define "Situated Freedom," according to Maurice
Merleau-Ponty.
2. Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and
the consequences of their choices (PPT11/12-Ilc-5.4).
3. Make decisions based on high moral standards.

VOCABULARIES
Now, here are some words you have to remember:
DETERMINISM is the philosophical view that all events are determined entirely
by previously existing causes.
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DILEMMA a situation in which a difficult choice has to be

made between two or more alternatives, especially equally
undesirable ones.
FUNDAMENTAL OPTION is our general direction or
orientation in life that reflects our values in life.
LIMITED FREEDOM is a belief that man has freedom but is
limited because of his situation.
MORAL STANDARD refers to the norms we have about the
types of actions we believe to be morally acceptable and
morally unacceptable.
SITUATED FREEDOM a belief that a choice is always embedded in and
dependent upon the meaningful choices disclosed by a specific social and
historical situation.

General Instruction. Please prepare a sheet of paper where you would write
your answers to the quizzes or questions posted.

PRE-TEST .
Are you ready to start the pre-test? Remember to write
your answers in your journal.

TRUE or FALSE
Direction: Write the letter “T” if the statement is true and
“F” if the statement is false.
___1. There is freedom, but only limited.
___2. Vertical freedom includes choices that has the same value.
___3. Freedom becomes limited because of situations
___4. Choices must be based on our moral standards or values.
___5. There is no such thing as authentic freedom.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Direction: Read each item carefully and copy the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following situations demonstrate vertical freedom:

a. Tom was so excited to buy a new smart phone, so he purchased the latest
model of iPhone instead of the outdated ones.
b. Mark skipped lunch because he doesn’t want to eat vegetables.
c. Travis stayed at home the whole day to finish his modules rather than
attending his friend’s party.
d. Scott was asked to choose between the two: watching movies or playing video
games. He preferred the first one since it is his favorite past time.
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Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

2. The following are examples of moral values prominent among Filipinos,

except:
a. Saying “po” and “opo’” when talking to elders. c. Bayanihan
b. Being hospitable to visitors. d. Crab mentality

3. Imagine that you are caught in a dilemma where you have to decide if you will
pursue studying or not, considering the threat of covid-19. What is the best action
to take?
a. It depends upon the situation. Look for other possible choices.
b. Stop studying because your health is more important than education.
c. Pursue studying because your classmates might get ahead of you.
d. Ask your parents about it.

4. “We choose something not simply because we need to do it; we choose

because it has meaning to us.” What is the message of this statement?
a. There is always a reason to do something.
b. Sometimes we choose because we are forced to.
c. Choosing requires reasoning
d. The act of choosing depends on the person.

5. Laurah was having a hard time understanding the modules, causing her to lose
interest in studying. She is blaming the problem to her teachers. Do you agree
with her?
a. I agree, because it is the teachers’ duty to guide a student who is having a
hard time.
b. I agree, because the modules should be presented in an interesting manner so
that students won’t get bored.
c. I disagree, because every action has a corresponding consequence.
d. I disagree, because she has the ability to choose among choices

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

Situation 1. My Dream Boy/ Girl

Imagine yourself faced in a situation wherein you are
to choose a lifelong partner. The choices are shown below,
who will you pick? Why?

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Situation 2 The Lucky Winner

Imagine you won a big contest, and you were asked to choose just one of the
following prizes:

A. a luxury car B. a 4-year college educational

scholarship at one prestigious school in
the Philippines

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Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

C. a 1-month all-expense-paid trip to Europe

Guide questions:
1. What did you choose? Why?
2. Did you find it difficult to choose? Why or why not?
3. What are the pros and cons of each choice?
4. How did you exercise your freedom in the process of choosing? Explain your
answer.

DEEPENING
THE CONCEPT OF FREEDOM
Two-fold positions about the concept of freedom:
1. Absolute determinism (B.F. Skinner)
2. Absolute indeterminism (J.P. Sartre)

Absolute determinism tells us that man is not free because past

experiences and events determine him. On the other hand, absolute
indeterminism tells us that man is free, and there’s no limit to his freedom. These
two views are considered extreme and would fall short to our experience of
freedom. There are things that are beyond our control as humans and thus giving
birth to the idea of limited freedom. When you were born, you were not given the
freedom to choose your nationality, culture, religion, language, and status in life.
But you were given the freedom to do what you want with the rest of your life.
Every time we find ourselves in a particular situation, freedom becomes limited,
and we need to accept that reality. Imagine
yourself thinking of what’s best to do on a hot
summer afternoon. You decided to go out and
swim. Upon reaching the resort, you found out
that there’s no water in the pool. You were upset
because you cannot do what you had wanted.
Your willingness to swim is restricted by the
current situation that you are in. Your situation
limits your freedom to swim. That is what we
mean when we say, freedom depends on a given
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Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

situation. And freedom is relatively true only with a given situation.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908–1961), a French philosopher and public
intellectual, coined the idea of situated freedom, where choice is always
embedded in and dependent upon the meaningful choices disclosed by a specific
social and historical situation. In everything that we do, we are putting ourselves
into a situation, and each situation differs from another.
The same idea is being referred to by Wilmer Joseph Tria, a professor
from Ateneo de Naga University, in his book, Ako asin an Kapwa Ko: Pilosopiya
nin Tawo (2009). “Nagtutubod ako na yaon ang katalingkasan sa gabos na tawo
sa gabos nyang kamugtakan.” Translation: I believe that freedom is present in all
humans, in all their situations. If freedom is limitless, when we talk about it as
freedom per se, then what makes freedom limited is the situation, where it is
being confined within space and time. However, there are situations wherein we
are left with only one option, or what others would say: there’s no choice. It is in
this kind of situation where authentic freedom is applied.
In all situations possible, how can we exercise our authentic freedom?
Let us go back to our Learning Activity 1, Situation 2 (The Lucky Winner).
If you analyze the options, seemingly, all of the choices are great prizes.
However, if you weigh the pros and cons of each, you will eventually realize that
one may be better than the other. For example, if you choose the luxury car, the
high cost of maintenance fees and gasoline may burden you. The European trip
would also be fun, but it seems impractical. A 4-year scholarship would have
been the best choice because it is long-term and beneficial. In choosing which
prize to get, you have already exercised your freedom to make decisions.
However, it is essential to conclude that the choices you make have
corresponding consequences and that the main reason for choosing such is
because the option has a higher value in your life.
We can exercise freedom based on the moral standards that we have.
And these moral standards are also based on our previous experiences. Back
when we were still kids, we were taught to say “po” and “opo” and to practice the
“mano po” as a sign of respect to our elders. Those simple gestures connote a
high moral value, and unconsciously that value is confined within us as we grow
older. And as long as we live with a high moral value, we live more authentically,
practicing our freedom to choose good over evil.
To deepen more the concept of situated freedom, let us quote one of the
famous statements of Merleau-Ponty, “… we choose something not simply
because we need to choose but we choose because it has meaning to us. Man’s
freedom is always affected by situation. We are free to choose based on what
situation we belong in which we find meaning for ourselves.”
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To increase our knowledge about situated freedom, let us talk about the
kinds of freedom (Max Scheler).
There are two kinds of freedom:
1. The freedom of choice (horizontal freedom)
2. The fundamental option (vertical freedom).

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Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

The freedom of choice (horizontal freedom) is our basic and particular

choices we make every day in our lives. When you choose among variety of
things, like choosing what to eat for lunch, you are exercising freedom of choice.
That is why it is illustrated as horizontal because the choices have the same
value. The fundamental option (vertical freedom), on the other hand, is our
general direction or orientation in life that reflects our values. It is illustrated as
vertical because it shows hierarchy of choices wherein some values are higher
than the others. For example, choosing the object of your love. Which is of
greater value, to love yourself or to love others? Just like when wearing a mask,
are you doing it to protect yourself or are you doing it so that you won’t spread
the virus to others because you care for them? Fundamental option is
concretized and exercised in our particular choices. It is in the fundamental option
that authentic freedom is applied. These two are interrelated with each other
because the choices we make shape our fundamental freedom.
To sum everything up, let us contemplate on the words of Wilmer Joseph
Tria:
“Kun mayong katalingkasan mayo man nin katungdan an tawo.” “An
katalingkasan kasangkapan sa paglingkod sa kapwa.”
Translation: Without Freedom, man has no responsibility. Freedom
is an instrument to serve others.
Undeniably, loving others has a higher value than loving oneself, and love
is the highest moral value of all. There is total freedom when there is love.
Because of this, freedom makes us truly human- our purpose in life.

APPLICATION
Listed in the first column are your different roles in society.
In the second column, list down at least 1 difficult situation
that you are encountering right now in your life as a
son/daughter, a student, a friend, and a member of society.
In the third column, list down the possible options you have
in that particular situation. In the fourth column, write the
possible consequences of each option. In the fifth column
write your best choice among the options. In the sixth column, explain the reason
why you have chosen that particular option

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Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

Situation Possible Possible Your

Role Encountered Options Consequences Choice Reason

As a
son/daughter

As a student

As a friend

As a member
of society
LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

The Trolley Problem: An Ethical Dilemma

There is a runaway trolley moving down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the
tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed
straight for them. You are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a
lever. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch to a different set of tracks.
However, you notice that there is one person on the sidetrack. You have two
options:
A. Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track.
B. Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill
one person.

Guide Questions:
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

1. What will you do? A or B? Elaborate your answer

2. Let us modify the situation; what if the one person on the side track is your
mother? Will your answer be the same? Explain your answer.
3. What if the five people on the main track are criminals? Will your answer be
the same? Explain your answer.

POST TEST
TRUE OR FALSE
Direction: Write the letter “T” if the statement is true
and “F” if the statement is false. Write your answer in
your notebook.

___1. There is freedom, but only limited.

___2. Vertical freedom includes choices that has the same value.
___3. Freedom becomes limited because of situations
___4. Choices must be based on our moral standards or values.
___5. There is no such thing as authentic freedom.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Direction: Read each item carefully and copy the correct answer in your
notebook.
1. Which of the following situations demonstrate vertical freedom:
a. Tom was so excited to buy a new smartphone, so he purchased the
latest iPhone model instead of the outdated ones.
b. Mark skipped lunch because he doesn’t want to eat vegetables.
c. Travis stayed at home the whole day to finish his modules rather than
attending his friend’s party.
d. Scott was asked to choose between the two: watching movies or playing
video games. He preferred the first one since it is his favorite past time.
2. The following are examples of moral values prominent among Filipinos,
except:
a. Saying “po” and “opo’” when talking to elders. c. Bayanihan
b. Being hospitable to visitors. d. Crab mentality
3. Imagine that you are caught in a dilemma where you have to decide if
you are going to pursue studying or not, considering the threat of covid-19.
What is the best action to take?
a. It depends upon the situation. Look for other possible choices.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

b. Stop studying because your health is more important than education.

c. Pursue studying because your classmates might get ahead of you.
d. Ask your parents about it.
4. “We choose something not simply because we need to choose but we
choose because it has meaning to us.” What is the message of this
statement?
a. There is always a reason to do something.
b. Sometimes we choose because we are forced to.
c. Choosing requires reasoning
d. The act of choosing depends on the person.
5. Laurah was having a hard time understanding the modules, causing her
to lose interest in studying. She justified herself by blaming the problem to
her teachers. Do you agree with her?
a. I agree, because it is the teachers’ duty to guide a student who is having
a hard time.
b. I agree, because the modules should be presented in an interesting
manner so that students won’t get bored.
c. I disagree, because every action has a corresponding consequence.
d. I disagree, because she has the ability to choose among choices.

ANSWER KEY

REFERENCES
BOOKS
Tria, W.J. (2009). Ako asin an Kapwa Ko: Pilosopiya nin Tawo. Naga City: Ateneo de
Naga, University Press.

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Quarter 2 – Module 5.4 Freedom of the Human Person

Vinzons, M.P. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City:
Vibal Group, Inc.

MEDIA RESOURCES
“Freedom of Choice and its Consequences I Intro to the Philosophy of the Human Person”
IHope.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ndvm3NABn4&fbclid=IwAR3tM66bnHO9kISz4I2aJRa
SSklSY453d3Ig5Oo1AUXasuLLB7U6dtspzuQ (retrieved October 16, 2020)

“Freedom and responsibility.” Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/existentialism/v-1/sections/freedom-and-responsi
bility?fbclid=IwAR1p-VeOUF2h0hzBhFG-CS29vhGS8E1kL5daAlBb-3zwJTKLu1mxNA1RfWU#:~:
text=Both%20Heidegger%20and%20Merleau%2DPonty,specific%20social%20and%20historical
%20situation (retrieved October 16, 2020)

“Human Action: Spiritual vs. Instinctual.” Classikomoro Philosophia.

https://classikomoro.wordpress.com/ (retrieved October 16, 2020)

“Maurice Merleau-Ponty.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/merleau-ponty/?fbclid=IwAR00lsTzyQ-NTL-yrrdiuUQS4JpCHqH
yB4idJscZnR_SsKHaQ6P1H8-_qjE#PhenPerc(retrieved October 16, 2020)

“Phenomenology of freedom.” Academia.

https://www.academia.edu/28927214/FREEDOM?fbclid=IwAR05FHHnFLvp7M83KUWG6UcOdS
gVIujt4rWoN3TCwNBxPJ3UWzv_dx-rykI (retrieved October 16, 2020)

“Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the consequences of their choices.”
Course Hero.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/36035097/Lesson-5pptx/?fbclid=IwAR3tM66bnHO9kISz4I2aJRa
SSklSY453d3Ig5Oo1AUXasuLLB7U6dtspzuQ

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