How can I exercise my freedom

in a responsible and beneficial

manner?
Let us reflect on this saying:

“My freedom to swing my

fist ends where your nose
begins.”
Human freedom, though essential, is not absolute.

1. Human freedom should be exercised with control and

recognition of reasonable limits.
- We set limits to our own freedom and learn to moderate our
control or thoughts, emotions, and actions depending on the
situation. A person can even choose to limit his or her own
freedom or even surrender it entirely if it will result in a greater
benefit. For example:
a. A person may choose not to enter the jeepney first despite
being first in line to give way to elderly woman.
b. A young professional may not speak up in a meeting regarding
serious concerns about an employee, but talking to him/her
c. You may be very angry at your teacher for scolding you in front
of the entire class but you refrained from answering back at him or
her since it will be considered a disrespectful act.
d. Citizens may be angry about corruption in the government but
they did not go to the streets and engage in violence just to express
their anger. Instead, they find other more reasonable and lawful
means to express it.
- Limiting our personal freedom requires us to sacrifice certain self
interests and accept certain realities that are beyond our control. For
example:
a. You would like to pursue medicine but since your parents do not
have the means to send you in a medical school, you decided to take
- - Our sense of right and wrong guides us in recognizing our
limitations to our freedom

- Our society also imposes restrictions on our individual freedom

through laws and regulations. Our society implements
reasonable restrictions to personal freedom in order to maintain
order and harmony and uphold the welfare of the public.
Human freedom, though essential, is not absolute

2. Freedom should also be exercised with regard for

knowledge and truth.
- As rational human being, it is natural for us to think before we
act. We use our freedom to act and acquire more knowledge in
order to come up with decisions and courses of actions when
confronted with difficult situations.
For example:
a. To 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/ she will be unable to
answer correctly.
- The ability to acquire information and truthful knowledge
regarding a particular situation is very important, since it aids us in
making wise and informed choices. For example:
a. In choosing the best candidate, you may vote someone who is
popular and someone you know and like. More discerning students
however, will choose to find out each candidate's views about big
school issues before deciding who is to be voted.
b. If a courtroom judge wishes to uphold justice and render proper
judgment, he or she must carefully study the facts of the case in
order to arrive at a correct decision.
- Determining the proper information needed before we choose the
best course of action is not easy, but it is necessary to ensure that
our choices, decisions, and actions are proper, reasonable, and just.
Human freedom, though essential, is not absolute

3. We should recognize and uphold not only our individual

freedom but also the freedom of others.
- Many societies identify certain freedoms that should be enjoyed
by all, as these contribute to the quality of life of the indvidual
and the welfare of society. These include:
 Freedom to live and determine one's identity;
 Freedom from slavery and other constraints;
 Freedom from 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.

An act of Voluntarism and Free will

Reflection: My Self Version 2.0

1. Illustrate the old you. How do you exercise your freedom

before? In every action or word you do or say, do you consider
other person's feelings and sake? Do you take responsibility of
your actions?
2. How will you adopt your learnings in this lesson in exercising
your freedom? How would be you version 2.0 be like?