PHILOSOPHY Voluntariness and responsibility are the

two elements that define freedom.

Lesson 5:Freedom of the Human
Person Voluntariness refers to the ability of a
person to act out of his or her own free will
and self-determination, which means that a
Freedom is understood by philosophers as
person may decide to act or not to act out
the power of the person to create and
of free will.
define oneself and is rooted in one’s
Responsibility- refers to the person being
capacity for self-determination
accountable for his or her actions and their
consequences.
 Freedom is an intrinsic and essential
property of the person.
-Voluntariness and responsibility go hand-
in-hand in determining a person’s freedom.
 human person by nature is a free being
-A person may be forced to act against his
or her will and it follows that he or she may
 it is in his or her nature to seek
or may not be held accountable for such
freedom
involuntary actions.
-Freedom is rooted in the human person’s
self-determination and the exercise of
Freedom is experienced through the act of
intellect and free will.
making choices (sometimes a lot).
We only get to choose to enact one of
-Freedom also requires a degree of control
these possible actions or decisions, and also
from the person who exercises it
to not take any action.
-A person becomes more free when he or
she exercises control over himself or herself
Human freedom should be exercised with
and less free when being controlled by
control and a recognition of reasonable
other forces
limits.
For example, a person suffering from
Human freedom, though essential is not
addiction becomes less free as he or she is
absolute.
overpowered by certain substances and can
barely control himself or herself.
Freedom should also be exercised with
regard for knowledge and truth.
Persons who are denied their freedom by
As rational beings, it is natural for us to
other individuals, groups, and institutions
think before we act.
are also dehumanized

 Slavery and imprisonment are We should also recognize and uphold

dehumanizing acts not only our individual freedom but
 A prisoner is also dehumanized but the also the freedom of others.
same also dehumanized the person he
or she wronged
Kinds of Freedom

1. Physical Freedom - refers to the absence

of any physical restraint
2. Psychological Freedom is also called
freedom of choice, allowing a person to
perform actions considered right and wise
3. Moral Freedom refers to using freedom
in a manner that upholds human dignity
and goodness.
LESSON 6 :INTERSUBJECTIVITY 2. deeper level of interaction between the
self and the other
GENUINE AND MEANINGFUL  awareness of the self as being seen by
RELATIONSHIP others

-Harmonious relationship between people Example: when a person stops and looks
is very important. straight at you, you become aware of such
-You have to maintain good relations with an action as that of the other person. Also,
your family, friends, schoolmates, and the you are aware that such a person is also
people in your community for your aware of you as a person.
activities to be productive, meaningful and
beneficial.  The way we act with other people is
often influenced by our ideas of how
-Our ability to engage in meaningful these people see us.
interactions with other people, our - In personal and social contexts, like
surroundings, and everything around us is when we are with our parents or outside
rooted in our capacity for self-awareness our home, we adjust our behavior to
and transcendence. conform with what is expected from us.
-Before we begin to relate with others, we
must first be aware of ourselves as rational  These actions are referred to as
individuals capable of determined and “seeming” - where an individual
reasonable action. presents himself or herself in a certain
-This notion of recognizing the self in the way when dealing with others.
other is how philosophers define -Persons take on “roles” or act out
interpersonal relations. characters when dealing with certain
-The interaction between the self and the people or when in certain situations.
other is related to the philosophical
concept of intersubjectivity, which is the There may be instances when people
mutual recognition of each other as behave in a certain way to intentionally
persons. deceive or manipulate other people, like as
you may have heard, “plastic” or “sipsip” in
Intersubjectivity carries the meaning of a pursuit of selfish interests.
“unique relationship between distinct
subjects.”  Most human interactions, however,
-It refers to the characteristic of the human are not based on deception.
person to engage in a very intimate and -Our human nature drives us to uphold
personal relationship with others who are dignity and goodness, our interactions with
different from him or her but who are also others are also geared toward what is good
like’ him or her. and beneficial.

Levels of self-other interaction according

to philosophers:  The deeper and more genuine
interaction is called a dialogue.
1.simple awareness of the existence of the -this is made possible when the self realizes
other. that the other is a genuine and unique
 We are aware that other beings unique individual.
from us are existing and that they exist
outside of our own awareness or  A dialogue is an interaction between
perception. persons that happens through speech
or the use of words, expressions and
body language.
 The dialogue is a means by which -Our human nature drives us to feel
persons are able to share in each indignation against these kinds of behavior
other’s lives. because we know that these actions are an
 A dialogue occurs when two persons insult to human dignity.
“open up” to each other and give and -Feelings or views of alienation, if left
receive one another in their unaddressed, give rise to negative views
encounter. and actions directed against a person or
 Genuine dialogue occurs when group of persons.
persons are willing to share
themselves with one another. Alienation goes against the concept of
personhood because this view discounts
 Philosophers agree that it is important the humanity and dignity of a person and
for humans to pursue and achieve leads to dehumanization.
genuine relationships to attain Society must be founded on relationships
development. and bonds established through mutual
 The human person is considered as a respect and recognition of human dignity.
“being with others”, which means that
his or her identity and destiny are  We should recognize that the other
shaped by relating with others. person is the same as ourselves, if we
consider him or her as an individual
with dignity, as a person no different
Empathy or the ability to share emotions, is from us
an important aspect of intersubjectivity. Important values related to
-This emotion is driven by a person’s intersubjectivity include acceptance of
awareness that the other is a person with differences and embracing diversity.
thoughts and feelings. We have to accept that people will have
-Another characteristic of a meaningful and different views and beliefs.
genuine human relationships is availability,
or the willingness of a person to be present  Shared humanity and dignity is what
and be at the disposal of another. drives us to extend assistance and act
with concern towards others,
 The ethics of care is an ethical theory especially towards individuals or
that emphasizes the moral dimension groups that experience hardships and
of relationships and interactions. discrimination.
 This moral perspective encourages  We have to realize that people who
individuals to help other people, most are physically and mentally challenged
especially the vulnerable. despite their limitations, can have the
 Proponents of the ethics of care same skills as those who are fully able
believe that people have a moral in mind and body.
obligation to respond to the needs of
other people; and one cannot turn a They also have hopes and aspirations like
blind eye on the problems of others. us, and many of them have successfully
transcended their disabilities to become
productive and happy individuals.
Not all human interactions, however, are
positive.  Hellen Keller (1880-1986) was an
Alienation is pessimistic view that considers American author, political activist and
human relationships frustrating and often the first deaf-blind person to earn a
inauthentic or deceptive. bachelor’s degree.
 Nicholas James “Nick” Vujicic (born
1982) is an Australian evangelist and
 motivational speaker who was born  The human person exists to relate with
with phocomelia, a condition in which others.
a person is born with no arms or legs.
 Roselle Ambubuyog (born 1980) is the  The person is by nature a social being
first visually-impaired Filipino to because he or she has a tendency to go
graduate summa cum laude from out of himself or herself to form bonds
Ateneo de Manila University in 2001. and relationships with others.
 Throughout a person’s life, he or she
Various advocacies supporting persons with experiences a variety of relationships
disabilities have resulted in the institution that help shape him or her as a person.
of events and commemorations such as the
Paralympics, an international sports Example: Infants first relate with their
competition modeled after the Olympics immediate family, expand their horizons
that features athletes with disabilities. outside their immediate family as they
grow then establish friendships from
The United Nations has also instituted days childhood to adulthood and also deal with
of awareness, such as World Down other figures of authority.
Syndrome Day (March 21) World Autism
Awareness Day (April 2) and International  The pursuit of our goals is made easier
Day of Persons with Disabilities (December by the fact that we do not need to do
3). our activities alone.
 We can live our life and pursue our
 Another group of people who happiness with other people by our
experience hardship and side.
discrimination are the  The tendency to form groups is not
underprivileged. exclusive to human beings but extends
-They have less in terms of material to animals for mutual protection and
possessions. survival.
 But only human can establish a society,
The act of assistance or giving, however, an organized group of people whose
must be done in the spirit of mutual members interact frequently and have
respect. a common territory and culture.
 It also refers to a companionship or
One must extend help wholeheartedly, friendly association with others, an
without reservation or a patronizing alliance, a community, or a union.
attitude.  Philosophers consider society the
product of deliberate actions by
We help those in need not because we individuals who come together in
need to feel better about ourselves, but we pursuit of a common goal.
do it out of an obligation to uphold the  As individual persons, members of
dignity of our fellow persons. society are able to transform
themselves and attain development
through their interactions within
LESSON 7:The Human Person in Society society.
 In turn, humans are also able to
What is society? What drives human beings influence society through their actions.
to establish societies?  The survival of a human being is
The human person exists to relate with essentially rooted in society and
others. human relations.
 Society and its various aspects provide  In this state, human would naturally
support that ensures the development seek a just and fair society in an effort
of the human person. to look out for their own interests.
 An evident influence of society on
individuals is the emergence of specific
traits and characteristics unique to a  David Gauthier described people’s self-
certain society which are manifested interest as a significant factor in
by its members. building and maintaining societies.
 For example, Filipinos’ value for family  People choose to cooperate since it is
ties compared to Westerners’ value for beneficial to meet their self-interests.
individuality.  One common feature of the social
contract theory is the fact that the
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY individuals enter into a kind of
agreement with one another to form a
 During the Enlightenment, social society.
philosophers pondered the natural  Individual members set aside their self-
laws that govern human societies, and interest in order to create a
in their discussions, several community where they may live in
philosophers put forth their theories harmony with others.
regarding formation of societies.
 Enlightenment philosophers such as It is important to note that in a society, one
Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean is not compromised for the sake of the
Jacques Rosseau imagined humans as other: the individual is not in any way
living in a so-called “natural state” violated for the sake of the community
removed form modernity and and vice versa.
civilization. It is important to note that society is
 John Locke unlike Hobbes considered founded on the concept of the common
persons in their natural states as more good.
cooperative and reasonable and that
society is formed through the consent The common good refers to the social
of the individuals that organized it, a conditions which enable persons and
concept known as “consent of the groups to fulfill their goals and achieve
governed”. well-being.
 Locke’s social contract is a covenant On a larger scale, examples of the common
among individuals to cooperate and good may include peace within the
share the burden of upholding the community, clean and safe public spaces,
welfare of the society. an efficient transport system, and efficient
 Jean Jacques Rosseau advocated for public service.
the concept of “general will” believing
that even if the people are the ones What are the different forms of societies?
who organized society and established
an authority or government , in 1.Hunting and gathering society-This is
extreme cases, the government is able recognized as the earliest and simplest
to impose its will on the people form of society.
 John Rawls redefined the social  It is generally characterized by its small
contract introducing what he called size and is composed mainly of
the original position imagining that families.
human have a “veil of ignorance” or no 2. Pastoral society-This type of society is
knowledge of one’s own characteristics characterized by the domestication of
such as gender, race or social status. animals for food for a more stable and
predictable food supply.
 These communities have larger  The virtual society, where people
populations than hunting and organize themselves through
gathering societies and remain longer communication technology and the
in one place. Internet, is a product of this society.
3. Horticultural society-A horticulture
society primarily engages in the small-scale  The growth and development of
cultivation of plants, fruits and vegetables various forms of societies highlight the
and the domestication of animals. growing complexity of human
 This society is semi-nomadic meaning interactions over time.
they travel to another place upon  Despite the advancements and
depletion of the resources in one area. changes in societies, the human person
4. Agrarian or agricultural society-This type still remains the heart and center of
of society is a further evolution of the society.
pastoral and horticultural societies.
 They involve in large-scale and long- How does society influence our
term cultivation and domestication of developments as persons?
animals.
5. Feudal society-Feudal societies which are  The person and the society have a very
based on the ownership of land arose out dynamic relationship in which one
of the developments in Western Europe cannot exist without each other.
during Medieval times, when rival  Because of this reality, it is important
kingdoms were engaged in conflict over to consider society’s role in the growth
resources, particularly in land. and development of a person, and the
 Rulers grant their followers or vassals person’s role in transforming society.
the right to manage parcels of land,  Society influences our development as
who in turn are served by peasant persons in various ways.
workers who cultivate the land and  Society is the backdrop by which we
tended the animals in the farms. adopt the prevailing culture, identity,
6. Industrial society-This society is based on values, ideas, and knowledge of the
the use of specialized machinery in the persons, groups and communities that
production of goods and services. surround us.
 The advances in science and  Society influences the interactions of
technology in the late 18th century its members through the
resulted in the Industrial Revolution establishment of norms, which are a
which gave rise to new production and set of traits and behavior that society
industrial methods, as well as considers acceptable, and are thus
innovations in transportation and encouraged and passed on to other
communication, resulting to improved members.
trade and commerce and better life  Laws are more formal and stringent
conditions for many people. norms that establish and define
7. Post-industrial society-The post- acceptable behavior which prescribes
industrial society is marked by the consequences and penalties imposed
establishment of societies based on on violators.
knowledge, information and the sale of  Folkways are less formal norms that
services. arise from tradition and do not result
 Led by the human mind and aided by in punishment.
highly advanced technology, the trend Norms, laws and other rules that regulate
has shifted from industry to the human interactions give rise to a social
generation, storage, manipulation and system, which is an organized or patterned
sale of information. set of relationships among individuals and
groups that compose a society.
Each member is assigned a social role,  We have the freedom to rise above our
which are actions and behaviors expected circumstances and make ourselves into
of a certain individual. something different or better.
 For instance, a child who grew up in
 Individuals who share similar the slums or squatters area can choose
backgrounds or perform similar roles to rise above his or her social condition
are grouped together into social through education or hard work
groups or social classes.  Society recognizes the capability of the
person to develop and provides its
 Certain groups that perform vital members with opportunities to better
functions in society are recognized as themselves.
social institutions, and these include  Apart from choosing not to be fully
the family, school, government and defined by society, persons can also
religion. undertake to contribute to society
 Society also transforms human through their decisions and actions.
relations, which leads to the  Organized action is often the best
transformation of its members. means to bring about changes in
 The historical development of society society, and the concerted effort of
has brought about significant changes many groups often bring about a social
in the way human beings relate to movement, which is a large-scale
each other. action done by various groups and
 Over the course of his or her life, a organizations in pursuit of a common
person will undertake various social goal to bring about change
roles as he or she continually interacts In taking action to bring about positive
with other members of the society. changes in our society, we are able to
 Another way society shapes us is fulfill our purpose as human persons who
through social values, which are are living and interacting with our greater
actions or ideals that are considered community and working toward achieving
important by society. the greater good.
 Values such as cooperation, obedience
to the law, concern for others and LESSON 8:Human Persons as Oriented
respect for others are considered vital Towards Their Impending Death
to maintaining an orderly society.
 Another way society shapes us is
through social values, which are Death is commonly understood as the end
actions or ideals that are considered of bodily functions which signals the end of
important by society. a person’s life. It also refers to the
 Values such as cooperation, obedience separation of the body and the spirit.
to the law, concern for others and  The body being material is bound by
respect for others are considered vital the law of time and space and is
to maintaining an orderly society. subject to growth, death and decay.
 Other aspects of society that The spirit being immaterial, will
contribute to the formation of the continue to exist even after the body
individual include language, religion has passed.
and historical events.
 Although society greatly influences the  A person’s spiritual nature allows him
development of the self, the human or her to transcend his or her
person still has the freedom to choose temporality and physical limits but we
not to be fully defined by his or her also cannot deny the material nature
background or society. of the person.
 Everything that came to being to With this in mind, we can look at two
being in this universe will eventually experiences which makes us reflect on the
come to an end. meaning of life: happiness and suffering.
 We are born to human life, we grow
and age and we eventually die. What makes you happy?
 A person’s life is limited in time. Some  Ancient Greek philosophy consider
deny it, others believe to prolong it. happiness as an achievement and it
We wish to experience more of the must be gained by living a productive
world. and moral life.
 These attitudes are not necessarily bad
but they may prevent us from  Religious philosophers consider
reflecting on the reality of death. happiness as a union with God. Other
 We must embrace the fact that death contemporary views define happiness
is an integral part of our life. as “whole-life satisfaction,” based on
 We must focus not just on the our evaluation of our overall life
quantifiable aspects of life (e. g. years experiences.
lived, material things owned) but also  Various philosophical views emphasize
on its quality. the importance of setting worthwhile
 Ultimately, the acceptance of our goals in life to achieve personal
temporality can bring about a sense of happiness.
freedom in us, also give us a clearer  Happiness also has a social element,
purpose and focus on our activities. as we should not only be concerned
While there is no freedom in the about our own happiness, but also the
inevitability of death, a person can still well-being of others.
exercise freedom in choosing how to face  What makes a person happy is that
the reality of death in their lives. which fits his nature-we are made
truly happy by things that are true and
The person is the author and protagonist good.
who determines the development and
conclusion of his or her life story.
The Goods/Sources of Happiness:
Temporality challenges us to make choices
that will be good for us and the people 1.A noble good is one which is pursued for
around us. its own sake; it is good in itself.
 Love and friendship are some
Some philosophers view end as a terminus examples.
which means the full stop or end of a line. 2.A useful good is considered good so long
as it serves as a means to an end; its
For them, life ends and nothing follows. goodness is found only from what it can
provide.
Others however, consider end as telos  For example, money is good as it can
which means “goal, purpose or buy you something.
fulfillment.” 3. A pleasurable good is good so long as it
provides some form of pleasure, though it
Although we are oriented towards our does not have to be physical.
death, death is not the goal of life.  It must be understood that a specific
good cannot be categorized strictly
The human person is not born into this under one kind.
world just so he or she could die but to live
a meaningful life on earth. For example, friendship maybe a noble
good because it is good to be a friend to
someone. However, pursuing it with  Look back at an achievement in your
incorrect intentions (e. g. befriending life which you consider your most
someone for academic or career significant triumph.
advancement) makes it only a useful good. Certainly, that victory was coupled with
trials and difficulties, but that victory was
The kind of happiness that can be gained made more significant and “sweeter” by
from a good is also closely tied to its the fact that you were able to surmount the
nature. challenges you faced.
 If we are willing to suffer through
For example, material things may satisfy adversities and maybe even suffer
bodily needs and can somehow make a cheerfully, it makes the pursuit of
person happy, but they cannot provide happiness even more worthwhile.
permanent happiness.  As a result, we not only attain the
A very important lesson in life: real happiness that we want, but we also
happiness can be found in more permanent become better persons in the process.
and meaningful things.
 The reality of death means that our
existence is unique and that we will
Why do we suffer? not easily give up on the pursuit of
good things.
 Suffering takes place when we  Reflecting on the reality of death
patiently endure unpleasantness, enables us to think how we can best
discomfort, and pain. live a meaningful life.
 We can strive to leave behind a legacy
1.Physical suffering is when we experience either in the form of an inheritance, a
physical sensations such as discomfort, reputation or a significant
hunger, distress and pain. achievement.
2.Mental suffering involves emotional and  A person lives a truly meaningful life
mental states such as depression, anxiety, when he or she lives in unity and
fear, loneliness, and grief. harmony with others.
 People are able to become truly great
 We normally experience difficulties in when they live for people other than
life, and how we deal with them is themselves.
often determined by our mindset  Life is a gift given to each person and it
regarding suffering. is important to turn this life into a gift
 Without it, we are unable to grow and for others as well.
improve and our positive experiences
lose meaning and significance.
 They can bring about good things even
if we do not fully understand our
circumstances at present.
 Our hardships bring about realizations
and opportunities for us.
 Even if the outcome of a difficulty is
unfavorable, dealing with suffering can
improve our attitude towards life and
other people.

How do happiness, suffering, and death

give meaning to your life?