CHAPTER 2
Freedom is so precious that God
Freedom and Morality
Remember that morality deals with
the choices that define who we become and
determine our eternal destiny. How we
define and use our freedom would clearly
affect these defining choices. In fact, it
defines how we make these decisions.
Whether we see our freedom as license to
do whatever we want or as a mission to
discern and choose what will make us better
people and our lives more fulfilled inform the
entire framework in which we make these
defining choices. If we are off on how we
understand human freedom, or moral
compass is inaccurate from the very start.
LESSON 1
Freedom and Moral Acts
Introduction:
In Kant philosophy, freedom is defined as a
concept which is involved in the moral
domain, at the question: what should I do?
What is Categorical Imperative?
This question can be answered from the
idea of a law that binds us rational beings
regardless of any particular ends.
Here are a formulation of Categorical
Imperative:
“Act in such a way that you always treat
humanity, whether in your own person or in
the person of any other, never simply as a
means, but always at the same time as an
end.”
The Role of Freedom In Morality
Having a final end does not obviate
the need for liberty. Freedom remains
essential.
will not override it, even when we badly
misuse that freedom. Thus, freedom is
essential to a genuinely good human life at
all the levels of morality
Freedom: The Foundation of Moral Act
Freedom is humans’ greatest quality
and it is a reflection of our creator. Freedom
is the power rooted in reason and will, to act
or not to act, to do this or that and so to
perform deliberate actions on one’s own
responsibility. Having freedom means
having responsibility. Every action you
choose further determines our character.
Are animals free? Do they have freedom?
Freedom and Free Will.
While the existence of freedom is a
central premise in Catholic morality we are
not equally free. There are many possible
limits our freedom: both external and
internal. External freedom is a freedom from
factors outside ourselves that limit or
destroy our free will. Internal freedom is a
freedom from interior factors that limit our
free will.
Requirement of True Freedom
True freedom is dependent upon truth, “You
will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free” (john 8:32).
Human Acts vs Acts of Human
Human acts make use of his knowledge and
free will.
Acts of human do not make use of his
intellect or will knowledge. His action is
natural.
 Lesson 2
CULTURE AND MORALITY
What is culture?
Culture is derived from the Latin
word “cultura “or “cultus” which means care
or cultivation.  restrictions and sets boundaries and
Culture as cultivation implies that
every human
 being is a potential member of his own
social group.
“Culture is that complex whole which
includes knowledge, belief, law, art, moral,
custom, and other capabilities and habits
acquired as a member of society “.
According to Landis (1992), culture is a
complex set of learned and shared beliefs,
customs, skills, habits, traditions, and
knowledge common to members of society.
The Influence of culture in Moral
Development
Culture has been with us since the dawn of
human existence. Significant as it is, a
culture considerably shapes its members on
how they live and relate within themselves
and with other cultures (bretzke 2004).
Culture is a social environment in which a
person is born and wherein he or she lives
together with other persons.
How culture influences the moral
development of the people
1.   Culture is always social and communal
by which the relationship of the people
towards one another and their experience
as a people are the culture’s meadow.
2.  The culture defines the normative
principles and behaviors of the society.
3.  Moreover, a culture, as best exemplified
in the experience of the people develops
limitations as they live and relate with one
another.
4.    As culture helps in generating the
character and identity of its people, it also
includes their moral character.
5.   The culture identifies the authorities or
the governing individuals or groups.
LESSON 3
THE FILIPINO WAY
THE FILIPINO CUSTOMS AND
TRADITIONS
Hiya, pakikisama, utang na loob &
respect to others make a Filipino an
individual with unique moral obligation to
treat one another resulting to community
ties. These values make Filipinos friendly,
hospitable, polite & loyal. In brief, the
Filipino core values influence how they
behave in any situation.
CLOSE FAMILY TIES
Taking care of each other, being
loyal to family, and having respect for elders
by obeying their authorities
BAYANIHAN
Spirit of communal unity or effort to
help each other out in times of need
COURTSHIP
Harana is one of the most popular
ways when it comes to Filipino courtship.
Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to
courtship. WE GO ALL OUT!

RELIGION
Roman Catholic is the majority faith
in the Philippines, making up approximately
90% of the population. The overwhelming
majority are Catholic, followed by Protestant
Christians including the popular Iglesia ni
Cristo, independent Christian churches, and
indigenous Catholic churches
SUPERSTITION
 Do not sleep when your hair is wet
 Do not travel before a major life
event
 Don’t go home immediately after
attending a wake or funeral
 Saying ‘tabi-tabi po’ out loud in
nature
 Turn your shirt inside-out if you are
lost
 Eating noodles during celebrations
MARRIAGE AND WEDDING CUSTOMS
it is tradition that Filipino weddings
should be in church and should be eternal
usually starts in the -ber months as early as
September
FIESTA
every town has a different date, tradition,
celebration for every fiesta
LIVING WITH PARENTS
Filipinos like the presence of family
members especially their children. Unlike in
other countries, when they get to the legal
age, it is a custom for them to move out of
the house
CHARACTERISTICS OF FILIPINO
CULTURE
 The Filipino people are very resilient
 Filipinos take pride in their families
 Filipinos are very religious Filipinos
are very respectful
 Filipinos help one another Filipinos
value traditions and culture
 Filipinos have the longest Christmas
celebrations
 Filipinos love art and architecture
 Filipinos are hospitable people

DEATH
for Filipinos, death of a family member is
an opportunity to strengthen the family ties
 siyam na araw
 40 days

SOCIETY
The Philippines is a combined
society. Although different in many ways,
we are all still very hospitable and we
respect each other no matter the culture
and beliefs

CHRISTMAS
Considered one of the biggest
events in the country. a Filipino Christmas