Lesson 5

Freedom of the Human Person

A. Objectives: In this lesson, students are expected to:

a. The learner understands the human person’s freedom
b. The learner shows situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the consequences of
choices
c. Realize that “all actions have consequences.”
d. Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices
e. Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the consequences of their choices

Boosting the Interest

B. Philosophical Inquiry:
Questions to Ponder:

 What is freedom?
 Are we free?
 What is the real essence of freedom?

C. Activity
Task 1
Four Pics one word: Determine what concept is being portrayed by the following pictures.
 ____ _____ _____ E _____ _____ _____
https://medium.com/swlh/work-is-freedom-is-opportunity-2d6b24c706bf

http://folioweekly.com/stories/freedom-is-never-given,20716

https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-girl-raised-hands-broken-chains-image21343918

https://www.financialfreedominspiration.com/are-you-choosing-financial-security-over-freedom/

C ___ ___ ___ ___ E

https://www.thecreativeeducator.com/2015/connections/give-students-choices

http://bukharianjewishlink.com/index.php/more/list-all-categories/different-perspectives/552-relationship-between-choice-
and-consequence

https://higheredgames.com/2014/08/25/intelligent-design-vs-spontaneous-order/

https://www.teachingprofessor.com/topics/for-those-who-teach/benefits-giving-students-choice-learn/
H ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ E
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29444177@N07/3576965789/
https://energeticawakenings.com/pride-help-or-hindrance/
https://www.ngoadvisor.net/ong/handicap-international
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03y6thr
 ___ L ___ ___ ___ R ___

https://www.dw.com/en/in-brazil-the-wounds-of-slavery-will-not-heal/a-43754519

https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2016/12/01/10-things-you-should-know-about-slavery-australia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln

https://itallcounts.org/blog//observances/international-days/commemorating-the-victims-of-slavery-
and-slave-trade-in-the-americas/
 C ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ E
http://clipartportal.com/reprimand-clipart-4/
https://www.123rf.com/photo_57237617_pregnant-teenage-girl-looking-worried.html
https://redice.tv/news/shaken-baby-syndrome-used-to-imprison-parents-to-cover-up-vaccine-damage
https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/local-news/2091696/two-men-found-dead-under-mysterious-circumstances-in-
mpumalanga/

Honing the Potential

D. Philosophical Dialogue
Introduction:
“A life without freedom is to be like a bird without wings, to be like a ship without a propeller, it is
nothing but like a rainbow without color.”
- Almond Augustine

History has so much to tell us about freedom and slavery. From the time of Moses and the
Hebrews in Egypt, to the life of the gladiators in ancient Rome, to the infamous Atlantic Slave
Trade that has shaped and transformed the lives of the African-Americans of our time.
All of these events in history help us understand the importance of the freedom that we relished
for a long time. The freedom that we have right now is the same freedom that our forefathers
had fought for and died for. Our freedom comes to us, with a certain degree of responsibility,
because to be free, is to be responsible for our freedom.
What is freedom?
Freedom, generally, is having the ability to act without constraint. In philosophy and religion, it
is associated with having free will and being without undue or unjust constraints,
or enslavement, and is an idea closely related to the concept of liberty.
Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint
Freedom stands for something greater than just the right to act however I choose—it also
stands for securing to everyone an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.
To most reasonable people, freedom means more than just ‘free to do whatever one wants’.
Taken literally, that approach would produce anarchy—every man, woman, and child for himself
or herself. Fortunately, none of us has to live that way (unless you’re reading this in Somalia or
a similar disaster area).
Certainly freedom does mean the right to do as one pleases—to think, believe, speak, worship
(or not worship), move about, gather, and generally act as you choose—but only until your
choices start to infringe on another person’s freedom.

Types of freedom
1. Freedom from - a freedom from the constraints of society. This is the freedom to either
willingly conform or deviate from the norms, values, and traditions of a given society.
2. Freedom to - a freedom to do what we want to do. To be able to do what we want without
any hindrance is one of the greatest pleasures in life.
3. Freedom to be - a freedom, not just to do what we want, but a freedom to be who we were
meant to be. In other words, this is our freedom to fulfill our destiny.

Freedom that is enunciated in the Bill of rights:

Freedom of the press prohibits the government from interfering with the printing and
distribution of information or opinions. It can be limited by libel and copyright laws, and it doesn’t
include the act of news gathering.

Freedom of assembly, sometimes used interchangeably with the freedom of association, is the
individual right to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common
interests. The right to freedom of association is recognized as a human right, a political freedom
and a civil liberty. This freedom can be limited by laws that protect public safety.
Freedom of expression includes freedom of speech, of the press, of association, of assembly
and petition. This freedom doesn’t extend to expression that defames, causes panic, creates
fighting words, incites people to crime, creates sedition, or is obscene.
Freedom of speech is the right of people to express their opinions publicly without
governmental interference. The right doesn’t extend to hate speech, advertising, child
pornography, and a few other instances.

Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to

manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. This right extends to
any religious belief, but not in the practice of all religious activities (for example, ones that
involve breaking other laws).

Existentialism and their notion of human freedom

https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_existentialism.html

Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the
view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite
existing in an irrational universe. It focuses on the question of human existence, and the feeling
that there is no purpose or explanation at the core of existence. It holds that, as there is no
God or any other transcendent force, the only way to counter this nothingness (and hence to
find meaning in life) is by embracing existence.

Thus, Existentialism believes that individuals are entirely free and must take personal
responsibility for themselves (although with this responsibility comes angst, a profound anguish
or dread). It therefore emphasizes action, freedom and decision as fundamental, and holds
that the only way to rise above the essentially absurd condition of humanity (which is
characterized by suffering and inevitable death) is by exercising our personal freedom and
choice.

Existentialists like Jean Paul Sartre, and Soren Kierkegaard believe that freedom plays a vital
role in the goal of man to live an “authentic existence”, and this could be done through
extinguishing the notion of “crowd existence” (being bound to follow the crowd) , taking personal
responsibility over your decisions and actions, and creating your own essence and owning that
freedom to be who you want to become.

The concept of freedom according to philosophers:

“Happiness and freedom begin with clear understanding of one principle. Some things are with
your control, and some things are not.”
- Epictetus
“To renounce freedom is to renounce one’s humanity, one’s rights as a man and equally one’s
duties.”
- Jean Jacques Rousseau
“Most People do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most
people are frightened with responsibility.”
- Sigmund Freud
“I call him free who is led solely by reason.”
- Baruch Spinoza
“Man is condemned to be free.”
- Jean Paul Sartre
“The Fuhrer alone is the present and future of German reality and its law. Learn to know ever
more deeply: from now on every single thing demands decision, and every action
responsibility.”
- Martin Heidegger
“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhance
the freedom of others.”
-Nelson Mandela
“True liberty is only for what is good and never for what is evil; it is always in consonance with
reason and the upright and honest conscience of the individual.”
He further said, “The thief is not free when he steals for he allows himself to be led by evil and
becomes a slave to his passions. When he is punished, it is precisely because he did use true
liberty.”
- Apolinario Mabini

Free will and Determinism

Is man free? To what extent can we say that we are free? The ability to make choices and
perform actions is an indication that we are free. Life offers us a lot of choices, from what
clothes to wear, what food to eat, which school to study, or what course to take. Thus, to make
choices, and perform actions without hindrance or restrain affirms the fact that we are indeed
free. But as we try to reflect and delve deeper through our human experiences, we come to
know that there are certain things that makes us think otherwise. For instance, we were born in
this world without our consent, we have no choice over the color of our skin, we have no
freedom over our sexuality, when we were born with a penis or with a vagina, and then there is
nothing we can do but to live with that. Some of us would have wanted to be six feet tall, but
what can we do if 5 feet (or 4 feet) is all that or genes can give us. Given all these situations, we
can’t but go back and ask ourselves once more: Are we really free?

Many Philosophers argued that man possesses “free will” that is, that we are able to have
some choice in how we act and assumes that we are free to choose our behavior, in other
words we are self-determined. For example, people can make a free choice as to whether to
commit a crime or not (unless they are a child or they are insane). This does not mean that
behavior is random, but we are free from the causal influences of past events. According to the
concept of freewill, a person is responsible for their own actions, as well as to the consequence
of their choice. Thus a person who committed a crime when he was under the influence of
alcohol or drugs is still held accountable for his actions. It would appear to be preposterous for
him to argue that he was not “free” when he committed the crime, because in the first place, he
was free to choose whether to drink or not to drink, he was free to take illegal drugs or not to
take illegal drugs. If he was able to exercise his freedom of choice over that matter, then what
makes him think that he was not free when he committed the crime? There is no way he can be
held unaccountable for his crime because prior to his actions, he is aware of the danger that
comes along with consuming alcohol and the use of drugs.

Not all philosophers however stick firmly to the idea of free will, some adheres to the
philosophical belief of determinism and rejects the notion of free will. Determinism is the
philosophical proposition that every event, decision and action is causally determined by an
unbroken chain of prior occurrences. This does not necessarily mean that humans have no
influence on the future and its events (a position more correctly known as Fatalism), but that
the level to which humans have influence over their future is itself dependent on present and
past. . In fact, 18th century French philosopher Baron D’Holbach said that “Everything, is the
inevitable result of what came before. Including everything that we do.” Taken to its logical
extreme, Determinism would argue that the initial Big Bang triggered every single action, and
possibly mental thought, through a system of cause and effect

Rousseau’s concept of freedom

Jean Jacques Rousseau believes that “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”
He is convinced that man possesses freedom, but this freedom comes with limitation. We are
born free, but as we grow up, we come to realize, that this freedom comes with chains simply
because there are internal and external factors that limit our freedom. Each and every free
person has a chain of his own. These chains are something that binds us and serve as
hindrances to reach our goals. Some may consider poverty or “the state of being poor” as their
chains that impedes them from securing a better life. For most of us, we consider the law as a
chain to our freedom as well as our traditions and customs. There are also some individuals
who remained bound to the chains of their past, that they find it difficult to have a productive life
in the present because until now they are still haunted with the memories of the days long gone.
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, we all have the freedom to live with our chains, or to break
free from them and live a life that we always wanted, that is, a life that is (not) or less
determined by outside forces to which we have no control. Finally, Rousseau’s concept of
freedom reminds us that our freedom no matter how limited it is, always comes with a cost.
Task 2
Activity: Fill up the following boxes with anything that you consider as your chains.

After that, share your answers to the class and the reason why you consider them as

the “chains of your freedom.”

What are the chains

in your life?
Freedom and Responsibility

Nelson Mandela once said, “With freedom comes responsibility, and I dare not linger, for
my long walk has not yet ended. It is without a doubt that freedom and responsibility are two
sides of the same coin. Freedom is the ability to set your schedule, to decide on what you will
do for the whole day, to make decisions, while responsibility is being held accountable for your
actions. It might involve, owning our mistakes or having others count on us. Freedom without
responsibility is certainly tempting, while responsibility without freedom is stressful. The life of a
student is a continuous reminder of our academic freedom, but this freedom also comes with
responsibility. It is without a doubt that the Philippine government upholds academic freedom
that is why it has exhausted all possible means to make education accessible to all by designing
public education to be free. However, on other side, students must reflect on this reality, are
they becoming more responsible for the freedom and the privilege that they get from the
government? Or are they taking everything for granted?

“Responsibility is the price of freedom.”

Allow me to share with you a short story about my experience with some of my students who
made cutting classes and absences as part of their lives. They are the type of students who
would only go to school on the day of the enrollment, and once enrolled, not a shadow of theirs
will be seen inside the four walls of the classroom. They will spend 4-5 months playing
computers, basketball, hang out with their peers and so on. But they get resurrected during
quarterly examinations, and when the semester is about to end, they will come to me with a
mouthful of reasons and excuses. The silly thing is, they are still expecting to pass the course.
In response to them, I just tell them that education is similar to farming. I believe no farmer
would simply throw seeds on the field and just leave it there, and after 3-4 month will just come
back for the day of the harvest. In the same way, no student ever graduates by just enrolling
and doing nothing.

“I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.”
As students of philosophy, we are called to be responsible with our freedom, that is, with our
decisions, with our choices, and with our actions. To commit mistakes is something that is
understandable, after all, “to err is human” as Alexander Pope puts it. However, the point of this
discussion is not on how often we commit mistakes but on how willing are we to admit them, be
willing to correct them and take responsibility over the consequence of our actions and decision.

We always have to bear in mind that we are free to choose our actions, but we are not free to
choose the consequence of our actions. That is why it is important for a person to exercise
caution and reflect on possible courses of action in making decisions or doing actions. Since
freedom entails responsibility, we must learn to develop and practice the virtue of prudence in
utilizing our freedom. Prudence is the ability to be cautious in making decisions. Prudence helps
us weigh the consequences of an action or decision before they happen. Thus, a prudent
person is not driven by compulsion or hasty decision.
 In that regard we also have to be
mindful of the responsibilities that
goes along with marriage
husband/wife

Freedom to drive Drive safely and responsibly

You have to remember to take

Freedom of speech and responsibility for everything that you
expression say and that you express.

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/110267890860669383/?lp=true

https://seths.blog/2016/03/freedom-and-responsibility/

PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO UPHOLD FREEDOM AND

RESPONSIBILITY.

1. “WHEN FACED BETWEEN TWO EVILS, IT IS WISER TO CHOOSE THE LESSER EVIL.”

“To prefer evil to good is not in human nature; and when a man is compelled to choose one of two evils,
no one will choose the greater when he might have the less.” - Plato

Have you ever been caught in a dilemma, or have found yourself in two undesirable choices? When you
are vegetarian and you were offered pork and fish, when you woke up late, will you choose to skip your
breakfast so that you won’t be late for school, or you’ll still eat your breakfast, and hold the
consequence of being late? Either way, you’ll be faced with a consequence, but this principle of
choosing the lesser evil will surely spare you from having the greater consequence.
Real life Scenario

You were hungry so you went to the canteen, fall in line for almost 15 minutes, and bought yourself a
burger, but as you were about to take your first bite, someone bumped at you causing your burger to
fall on the ground. At that very moment, you are caught between two choices. Either you’ll pick the
burger on the round and eat it, or throw it away instead. If you choose to eat it, you can’t run away from
the thought that it might already be contaminated by germs and bacteria which can make you sick, but
if you choose to throw it away, you have to deal with the feeling of frustration and depression because
in the first place, you are not rich, second thing, you stood and waited for 15 minutes just to have that
burger, and the third thing is, you’ll get hungry for the rest of the day. Thus, applying the principle
above, what do you think is the lesser evil between the two?

When caught between two undesirable choices, it is in our nature to choose the ones that would inflict
less pain (being shot with a gun, or being skinned alive), less stress, and less casualty. Philosophy teaches
us that as human beings we have the innate gift of freedom, but that’s not all, in philosophy, we are also
being guided on how to make the right choices given that we are free.

2. Immanuel Kant’s Principle of Humanity: “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your
own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always and at the same time
as an end.” In this principle, Kant put emphasis on the dignity of the human person. He writes:

Now I say: man, and generally rational being, exists as an end in himself, not merely as a means
to be arbitrarily used by this or that will, but all his actions, whether they concern himself or
other rational beings, must be always regarded at the same time as an end.

Kant therefore stresses that man is not a means to an end, but he is an end in himself. Thus, in line with
this principle, we should never use our freedom as a means to subvert the dignity and to limit the
freedom of others. Furthermore, Kant stresses that our actions should not lead to the depersonalization,
dehumanization, and alienation of man.

Real life Scenario

E. Summary of the Topic
Critical Reflection (let the students summarize the topic)
Teacher: “An action is free, only if the agent – that is, the person doing the thing – could
have done otherwise. Thus, free actions, requires options.”

Meeting the Standard

F. Philosophical Review (Quiz)

a. Check your Cognition (Objective Quiz 1-10)
__________1. Defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without
hindrance or restraint.
___________2. Is a freedom from the constraints of society?
__________3. Is a freedom to do what we want to do?
__________4. Is a freedom, not just to do what we want, but a freedom to be who we were
meant to be?
__________5. The right of people to express their opinions publicly without governmental
interference.
___________6. The freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest
religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.
___________7. A philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice.
___________8. Is the philosophical proposition that every event, decision and action is causally

determined by an unbroken chain of prior occurrences?

___________9. Is the ability to be cautious in making decisions.
___________10. Who among the philosophers hold that freedom is only for the good and
should always be in consonance with reason and the conscience of an
individual?

b. Evaluate your Comprehension

1. Recall any instance in your life where you made a wrong choice or decision?
How did you deal with the consequence of your choices?
What lessons have you learned from that experience?
2. Explain the notion of freedom in the perspective of existentialism.
3. What is the central idea of Rousseau’s notion of freedom? Explain your answer.
Achieving the Purpose

C. Doing and Becoming a Philosopher

1. Formulate two examples of scenario that when faced between two evils (two
undesirable choices) you have wisely chosen the lesser evil.
2. Think of at least two scenarios where you can apply Immanuel Kant’s Principle of
Humanity.
3. Choose only one among the quotations of philosophers about freedom, and write a
reflection paper about it.

G. Home Mission
Watch the following video about the Atlantic Slave Trade and the Life of Spartacus and
answer the following questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l1NyR6UvxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NXC4Q_4JVg

1. Recall the story of the life of Spartacus in Ancient Rome.

2. What compelled Spartacus and his fellow gladiators to escape and revolt against Rome?
3. If you were in his situation, will you do the same thing he did?
4. Recall the story of the infamous Atlantic Slave Trade and the reason for its emergence.
5. How did the Atlantic Slave Trade shape the lives of the African-Americans in the United
States?
6. What message does Abraham Lincoln wish to tell the world in his famous maxim: “if slavery is

not wrong, then nothing is wrong.”