Googgle

Act as Freely Done

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Google Freedom as a Foundation of Morality

One of the reason animals

cannot be truly ethical is that
that they are not really
autonomous or free.
Likewise, a robot no matter
how beneficial its functions
may be cannot be said to be
moral, for it has no freedom of
choice but to work accordingly
to what is commanded based
on its built-in program.
 www.group4.com

Google Freedom as a Foundation of Morality

Basically, morality is a
question of choice. Morality,
practically is choosing
ethical codes, values or
standards to guide us in our
daily lives.
Philosophically, choosing is
impossible without
freedom. .
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Google Freedom as a Foundation of Morality

Morality requires and allows

choice, which means, the right
to choose even differently from
our fellows.
In their daily lives, people
make the choice to give to
charities, donate time and
money to schools, mentor
children, open businesses, or
protest against animal cruelty.
 www.group4.com

Google Freedom as a Foundation of Morality

Everyone who wishes to function

morally, and rationally in a society
has to make choices virtually
every minute of the day.

Practically, the sum of our

choices can be said to define
our specific morality.
 www.group4.com

Google When is a Man free in his actions?

When is an act freely done?

1. Under the control of the WILL- it

is the power trending toward,
choosing, adhering to & taking
pleasure in a GOOD KNOWN BY
THE INTELLECT – voluntary.
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Google When is a Man free in his actions?

When is an act freely done?

2. We do things because we want

to, we own the decision of the
action.
3. We face the consequence of our
actions/ decisions – we face it with
full responsibility.
Nature of Modifier of Importance
Freedom Freedom: of Will and
Fear and Moral
Violence Courage
Nature of Freedom

• Proceeds from the intellect and will.

• Based on reason which the will
followed.
• When man makes decisions, he is
free.
• Man is accountable for what he is
doing because he is CONSCIOUS of
what he is doing, why he is doing it
& how he is doing it.
 Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Fear
This is the mind of a person who is
confronted by an impending danger
or harm himself or loved ones.

Distinction is made however

between an act done with fear and
act done out or because of fear.
Fear is an instinct for self-preservation. We even fear new
experiences or situations such as embarking on long journey,
being left alone in a strange place, or being asked to speak
before a group of people.
Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Fear
However, doing something out of
fear or because of it is entirely
different. Here, fear becomes a
positive force compelling a person
to act without careful deliberation.
Fear modifies the freedom of the
doer, inducing him to act in a
certain predetermined manner
often without his full consent.
 Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Principles:
1. Acts done with fear are
voluntary. A person acting with fear
is acting in spite of his fear and is
in full control of himself.
2. Acts done out of fear, however great
is simply voluntary although is
conditionally voluntary. It is simply
because the person remains in control
of his faculties including that of
moderating fear.
Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Principles:
It is also conditionally involuntary
because, if it were not for the
presence of something feared, the
person would not act or would act
in another way.

3. Acts done because of intense

fear or panic are involuntary.
Panic completely obscures the
mind. In this mental state, a
person is not expected to think
sensibly.
 Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Principles:
Thus, a person in a state of panic
might jump from the 12th floor of a
building. Such is not considered
suicide since it is done involuntary.
Panic cause a person to lose
complete control of himself.
Intimidating or threatening a person
with harm is an unjust act. Legally
speaking, actions done out of fear are
voidable, meaning they can later on
be annulled. It is grossly unfair to
oblige a person to fulfill a contract
obtained by the force of a threat.
Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Violence
Violence refers to any physical
force exerted on a person by
another free agent for the
purpose of compelling said
person to act against his will.
Bodily torture, maltreatment,
isolation and mutilation are
examples of violence against a
person.
 Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Principles
1. External actions or
commanded actions performed
by a person subjected to
violence to which reasonable
resistance has been offered are
involuntary and are not
accountable.
Active resistance should always be offered to an unjust
aggressor. However if resistance is impossible, or if there is
a serious threat to one’s life, a person confronted by violence
can always offer intrinsic resistance by withholding consent
that is enough to save his moral integrity.
Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Principles
2. Elicited acts or those done
by the ill alone are not subject
to violence and are therefore
voluntary.
“Violence of force in any instance if
bound with the refined cruelty of
present day methods of
psychological torture, can constitute
a serious temptation and often also
contribute towards a notable
diminution of inner freedom.
Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Arthur Schopenhauer
“Will is the innermost essence,
the kernel, of every particular
thing and also in the deliberate
conduct of man.
- Urging -wanting
- Craving -desiring
- striving

He believed that will is primary and

uses knowledge in order to find an
object that will satisfy its craving.
 Modifier of Freedom: Fear and Violence

Moral Courage
We have learned that in
morality, over reliance on
feelings, to say the least is
disadvantageous in resolving
moral dilemma.
“We are thus advised to guide
emotions with reason if not tonally
suppress them, but the reason for
many ethicists is also not enough in
carrying out moral decisions.

Moral Courage is important.

Importance of Will and Moral Courage

Moral Courage means doing the

right thing even at the risk of
inconvenience, ridicule, loss of
job or security or social status,
etc. It requires that we rise
above the apathy, complacency,
hatred, cynicism, and fear
mongering in our political
system, socioeconomic
divisions and cultural/religious
differences
 Importance of Will and Moral Courage

Moral courage demands us to

make judgements about what
behavior or acts are supportive
to our ethical ideologies or
highest ideals, and which ones
are destructive.
Moral Courage and Will, will
require us to recognize our
responsibilities and be
accountable to the
consequences of our own
actions.
Developing Will and Moral Courage

1. Develop and Practice Self-

discipline.

- Involves rejection of instant

gratification in favor of
something better.
- - give up instant pleasures,
satisfaction
- -develop self-control
- Stick to actions, thoughts and
behaviors which lead to moral
improvement and success
- Focus all energy on a moral goal
and persevere until it is
accomplished.
 Developing Will and Moral Courage

2. Do mental strength training

- Saying no to useless, harmful or

unnecessary and deed, and
behaving contrary to one’s (bad)
fortify a person’s mind-set

“avoiding tsimosa friends.”

“sleep earlier than usual”
“Resist desire to gamble”

3. Draw inspirations from people of great courage

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., Aung San Sui Mahatma
Gandhi, Jesus and his apostles.
Developing Will and Moral Courage

4. Repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral

courage and will.
- Help someone
- Stand up against bullies
- Pick up litter
- Initiative to do chores/assignments

5. Avoid deeds that show lack of moral

courage and will.
- Involves acts that show
irresponsibility, cowardice, apathy,
rashness, imprudence, ill will and
wickedness.

“walking away from someone in need”

“taking more than of your fair share”
Laughing at someone’s misfortune.”
Thank you!
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