Untitled Quiz

Freedom of the Human Person

• Human freedom is the capacity to act (or not act) as one chooses, without external compulsion or restraint.
• It's an intrinsic and essential aspect of being human.
• An important indicator of human freedom is the ability to make choices and perform actions.
• This ability distinguishes humans from other beings.

Anima vs. Human Person

• Anima LS (animals/lower forms of life): respond to commands and conditioned to perform actions instinctively.
• Human Person: can choose the course of action when presented with a stimulus or situation. (e.g., cleaning the classroom)

Volition (Aristotle)

• The ability to choose and determine.
• If intellect does not exist, there would be no will.
• Free will is a capacity for anyone to be good or bad. This is a power of choice.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Spirituality and Love)

• The human being is a moral agent.
• Humans have a duty to do good and avoid evil.
• Spirituality separates humans from animals.
• Spirituality gives humans a conscience.
• Choosing to be good or evil is a human responsibility.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica)

• Established that God exists as the first cause.
• Humans, as God's creations, have the ability to change themselves and the world around them.

Jean Paul Sartre (Individual Freedom)

• A philosophical theory of existentialism, focusing on the individual.
• Emphasizes the existence of individuals as free and responsible agents.
• Individuals determine their development through acts of will.
• Humans desire to be God, existing as beings whose existence is self-sufficient (en sui causa).
• The individual creates their own destiny.

Sartre's Emphasis on Freedom

• Sartre emphasizes the importance of individual choice, regardless of the influences or coercion from others.
• Freedom is paramount in making individual decisions.

Freedom Is Exercised Through Choices

• Freedom requires active exercise through individual choices.

Theory of Social Contract (Hobbes & Rousseau)

• Defined freedom in the context of having a government.
• Individuals surrender some freedom to a government through contract.
• This creates a basis for moral obligation and duty.

Social Contract

• An agreement where individuals sacrifice some freedom to obey a higher authority (government).
• This is necessary for the functioning of a government and society.

Freedom of Speech Scenarios

• The use of face masks and shields is questioned in a social contract context.
• Free speech is analyzed in a given picture.

Kinds of Freedom

1. Physical Freedom

• Absence of any physical restraint.
• Freedom of movement and mobility.

2. Psychological Freedom

• Also called "freedom of choice."
• Free to perform actions deemed right and wise.
• Free to act or not act.
• Innate and cannot be denied to a person.
  • Examples: choosing friends, partners, and courses in college.

3. Moral Freedom

• Using freedom to uphold human dignity and goodness.
  • Examples: charitable works, outreach, sensitivity, and prudent use of media

Positive and Negative Freedom

• Negative freedom: You failed to use freedom in a responsible manner.
• Positive freedom: Requires effort, personal control, and doing what is good.
  • Example: Finishing school requirements before pursuing other activities.

Absolute Freedom

• With no form of hindrance.
• Freedom is not absolute.
• Freedom is always coupled with responsibility.

Law

• A set of rules created by social/government institutions to regulate behavior.

Classifications of Law

1. Natural Law

• A body of unchanging moral principles.
• The foundation for human conduct (universal).

2. Eternal Law

• God's perfect plan, not fully knowable to humans.
• It determines the behavior of elements in nature (animals, planets), and how people should behave in society.
  • It represents God's plan and purpose for creation.

3. Divine Law

• Biblical law necessary for human salvation. -Comes from divine revelation (scripture).

4. Human Law

• Man-made law.
• Usually contrasted with natural and divine laws.