Freedom Of The Human Person PDF

Freedom of the Human Person Freedom often involves navigating between competing values and dealing with consequences.  It is the capacity to make conscious Definition of choices about one's life, actions, and beliefs while recognizing both the Human Freedom respo...

Freedom of the Human Person Freedom often involves navigating between competing values and dealing with consequences.  It is the capacity to make conscious Definition of choices about one's life, actions, and beliefs while recognizing both the Human Freedom responsibilities and consequences that come with these choices.  ❑Choice-making ability Definition of ❑Self-determination Human Freedom ❑Responsibility ❑Limitations Human freedom is like driving a car. You have: The ability to choose your destination (choice) Control over the steering wheel (self-determination) The need to follow traffic rules (limitations) The duty to drive safely for yourself and others (responsibility)  FREEDOM VERSUS FREE WILL FREEDOM FREE WILL External capacity to act Internal capacity to choose Absence of external Mental/psychological ability to constraints decide Social/physical ability to do Independence from external something conditioning Free to DO Free to CHOOSE Are you truly exercising free will in this choice, or are you being influenced by factors beyond your control? The Philosophical Views on Human Freedom  DETERMINISM a belief that every event, including human actions, is determined by previous events and following natural laws. DETERMINISM Choices are product of conditions proceeding events and conditions—like genetics, upbringing and circumstances. Choices are predictable since decisions are caused by factors outside of one’s control. Therefore, humans are not free. TYPES OF DETERMINISM Biological Determinism Our genes and brain chemistry control our behavior. Humans are biologically pre-disposed to decide, act, or behave in a certain way. Psychological Determinism Sigmund Freud: Human actions are not free. Our past experiences and mental states determine our choices. Mental states govern human decisions, actions and behaviors. Sociological Determinism Society and culture shape all our decisions and actions. B.F. Skinner: No autonomous agent in humans that determines their actions. Human behavior is shaped by external conditions, not by the so-called inner self. Human behavior is determined by its consequences, reinforcement shapes human behavior.  LIBERTARIANISM Humans have genuine free will and can make choices independent of causes. LIBERTARIANISM Holds that humans are capable of being the ultimate source of their actions. Only the self or the mind produces free choices through the power of its will. Recognizes subjective experience of making choices and sense of moral responsibility as evidences of free will.  COMPATIBILISM Attempts to reconcile determinism with free will by redefining what being “free” means COMPATIBILISM Being free means acting on one’s own desires, even these desires themselves were shaped by prior causes. Humans are free if they are not compelled, forced, or constrained to do their actions. One acts in accordance with one’s internal will. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Understanding Different Dimensions of Human Freedom  Freedom as Self- Determination (Viktor Frankl) Three Dimensions Freedom as Duty (Immanuel of Human Kant) Freedom Freedom as Responsibility (Jean-Paul Sartre) Freedom as Self-Determination Viktor Frankl Who is Viktor Frankl? An Austrian neurologist, psychologist, philosopher and Holocaust survivor. Known for his Logotheraphy (Gk. healing through meaning) Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) The Space Between Stimulus and Response We always have freedom to choose our response to any situation External circumstances don't determine our reactions Example: How different students react to getting a bad grade Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) Finding Meaning as True Freedom Freedom isn't just doing whatever we want It's the ability to choose what gives our life meaning. Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) Attitude as Ultimate Freedom Even in limiting circumstances, we can choose our attitude. This internal freedom can't be taken away. Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) Freedom as Self-Determination Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms– to choose one’s attitudes in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. Freedom as Duty Immanuel Kant Moral Law and Freedom True freedom comes from following moral rules we give ourselves Acting on impulse or desire isn't real freedom Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) The Categorical Imperative Maxim: "Act only according to rules you could want everyone to follow” Universal laws vs. personal exceptions Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Respecting Human Dignity Treat people as ends in themselves, not means Freedom requires respecting others' freedom Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Moral Law and Freedom Freedom does not react; it commands Freedom does not mean doing anything one wants. But freedom is doing what one ought to do. Freedom means fulfilling moral duties. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Freedom as Responsibility Jean-Paul Sartre Radical Freedom We are “condemned to be free” – must always choose. No predetermined essence or nature. Jean Paul Sartre (1905–80) No Excuses Can't blame others for our choices Not choosing is itself a choice Jean Paul Sartre (1905–80) Universal Impact of Choices Every choice defines what we think as humans should do Personal choices have universal implications Jean Paul Sartre (1905–80) Universal Impact of Choices To be free means to be responsible to oneself as well as for others and ultimately for humanity. Jean Paul Sartre (1905–80) Freedom as Responsibility We are free to choose, but we are fully responsible to the consequences of our choice. Jean Paul Sartre (1905–80) The Myth of Sysphus To sum up… Freedom as Self-determination (Frankl): Freedom is choosing our response to any situation by finding meaning in it. Freedom as Duty (Kant): Freedom is following moral laws we give ourselves, not our desires. Freedom as Responsibility (Sartre): Freedom is total responsibility for who we become through our choices.