Human freedom &

obligation
Lesson 2
 Recall the activity that you
performed last time…….

What for you is meant

by obligation?

How about freedom?

According to John Mothershead,
freedom and obligation are two
indispensable conditions for
morality to occur.
1. Freedom:
Definition: Freedom refers to the power or right to act, choose, and
change without hindrance or restraint.
Key Points:
1.Choice: Freedom is present when an individual actively chooses
a course of action.
2.Responsibility: It involves taking full responsibility for the
consequences of one’s actions.
3.Moral and Rational Capacity: Freedom is anchored in an
individual’s moral and rational capacity to discern right from
wrong.
4.Dignity and Goodness: Using freedom well upholds human
dignity and goodness.
2. Obligation:
Definition:
Obligation refers to duties or responsibilities that
individuals have toward themselves, others, and society.

Interplay with Freedom:

1.While freedom allows choice, obligation ensures
that our choices align with moral principles.
2.Obligations guide us toward actions that promote
well-being, justice, and ethical behavior.
3. Morality and Freedom:
Indispensable Conditions: According to Mothershead,
both freedom and obligation are essential for morality
to exist.

Balancing Act: Morality arises when individuals

exercise their freedom while recognizing their
obligations.

Human Agency: Our moral and rational capacities

enable us to navigate this delicate balance.
 Activity time!
Buntot mo, Hila mo! is Filipino proverb that carries a weight of
responsibility and consequencuences.

Explain in your own words what for you is meant by this

proverb. Cite a real-life example.
 SUMMARY
John Mothershead emphasizes that true morality emerges when
individuals freely choose their actions, taking responsibility for
the consequences, and aligning their choices with moral
principles.
It’s a dynamic interplay between freedom and obligation that sh
apes our ethical lives
INTELLECTUAL CHOICE
VS
PRACTICAL CHOICE
•Definition: An intellectual choice is deliberately selected based on
a moral standpoint.
•Characteristics:
• Normative: Intellectual choices are normative answers about what
we ought to do from a moral system that we uphold and its moral
principles.
• Mind-Centric: They involve critical thinking, reasoning, and
consideration of abstract concepts.
• Academic Pursuits: Intellectual choices often align with academic
pursuits, philosophical debates, and ethical dilemmas.
•Examples:
• Choosing to donate to a charity because it aligns with your moral
values.
• Deciding not to cheat on an exam due to ethical principles.
1.Definition: A practical choice is motivated by psychological and
emotional factors.
2.Characteristics:
1.Grounded in Reality: Practical choices prioritize functionality,
usefulness, and real-world effectiveness.
2.Hands-On Skills: They often involve hands-on skills, problem-
solving, and immediate application.
3.Daily Living: Practical choices relate to tasks necessary for daily
living.
3.Examples:
1.Cooking a meal because you’re hungry and need sustenance.
2.Fixing a leaky faucet to prevent water wastage.
 SUMMARY

• An intellectual choice is deliberately made based on moral principle

• It involves normative answers about what we should do from moral
standpoint
• Answers consider societal norms and accepted behavior
• For instance, when faced with a moral dilemma, an Intellectual choice
provides a PRESCRIPTIVE answer based on hypothetical situations.

• In summary, intellectual choices stem from moral reasoning and guide

our actions in imaginary scenarios.
 SUMMARY
• A practical choice arises from psychological and emotional factors.
• It occurs when we face ACTUAL situations.
• Our emotions, stress, and the time constraints impact practical
decision,
• For instance, Imagine being stressed and rushed during a moral
dilemma. Your emotional state may lead to a choice inconsistent
with your usual moral principles
• In summary, practical choices are influenced by our immediate
reality and emotional state, sometimes diverging from our
intellectual understanding.
intellectual choices engage the mind
and moral compass, while practical
choices address immediate needs and
real-world functionality.
Both play crucial roles in our lives, s
haping our actions and outcomes
ASSESSMENT
SOLVE THE TROLLEY PROBLEM
SOLVE THE TROLLEY PROBLEM.
There is a runaway trolley barreling 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:

1. Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track.
2. Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the sidetrack where it will kill one person.

Which is the more ethical option or, more simply: What is the right thing to do? Justify your
answer using the lesson above. Write your answers in your notebook.