By:Fernan Felicio

HUMAN FREEDOM

HUMAN FREEDOM

Problem:Human Freedom is misunderstood as “doing what I

want.”

Am I free to steal?A simple explanation to the exercise:

There is an impossibility of responding to the question with a simple YES or No. why?

Am I free to steal?A simple explanation to the exercise:

• If we simply said YES, I would be rejecting the 7th Commandment.

• If we simply answered “NO,” I would be denying any need for the 7th commandment!

Am I free to steal?A simple explanation to the exercise:

* The only adequate answer is: “YES, I have the capacity to freely choose to steal, but I am morally obliged NOT to exercise my freedom in stealing, since this contradicts the authentic use of my freedom in communion with others’ freedom.

Example:

By throwing garbage everywhere affect the freedom of others of not having clean and healthy environment.

HUMAN FREEDOM

1.The capacity to choose to perform a moral act; and

2.The exercise of this capacity: to do good (authentic exercise), or to do evil.

HUMAN FREEDOM

• It is a basis for all moral acts and therefore of the work of conscience.

• We are free because we have reason (Intellect) and will—we are rational beings.

HUMAN FREEDOM

• Without freedom, no morality. thus, all moral acts whether good or evil are free acts.

• Authentic human freedom is a shared capacity with others in the community to the good found in truth. (CFC 694) (Jn.8:32)

HUMAN FREEDOM

Can refer to:1. The capacity for self-determination = refers to the will or the capacity to make a choice, or seeing possibilities, potentials, to make commitment, to make an irrevocable decision.

HUMAN FREEDOM

Can refer to:2. Context = refers to the free situations where we find ourselves in and in which we are able to exercise our freedom.

HUMAN FREEDOM

Can refer to:3. The choice itself = the good or evil is chosen and is undertaken. The experience of freely choosing the act.

HUMAN FREEDOM

Can refer to:3. Fundamentally self-formed by these three = refers to the kind of person formed by his/her acts. (CFC 697)

HUMAN FREEDOMOur human vocation to become free.Our human vocation to be free is grounded on the truth that “man was created in the image and likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26), redeemed by the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:17), sanctified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14-16) called to be children of God (1 Jn. 3:1), and destined for eternal life. (CFC 685)

HUMAN FREEDOMTo become free is both our goal and task:

• Authentic Freedom is an exceptional sign of the divine image within man for God willed the man should be left in the hand of his own counsel. (GS. 17)

AUTHENTIC FREEDOMInvolves:• Freedom from = whatever opposes our true self-becoming with others in community. (CFC 696)

• Freedom for = growing as full persons before God and our fellow human persons, in authentic love.(CFC 720)

AUTHENTIC FREEDOMTwo levels of freedom for:• Freedom of choice = the freedom by which we direct our moral acts the freedom to choose, to act in this or that way, to do good or evil;

• Fundamental freedom = the freedom of our very selves formed gradually by our free acts; refers to our “moral being” as a human person.

AUTHENTIC FREEDOM

Freedom of children of God:

“ Freedom of the children of God” = means the freedom we share by the power of Christ’s spirit within us that liberates us from the enslavement of sin, the law and death, for a life of loving service of our fellowmen. (CFC 722)

AUTHENTIC FREEDOM

Freedom of children of God:

“ Since human freedom has weakened by sin, it is only by the help of God’s grace that man and woman give his actions their full and proper relationship. (GS 17)

AUTHENTIC FREEDOM

Freedom of children of God:“ The grace-filled indwelling of God and empowerment of the Risen Christ receive in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist enable us to use responsibly our freedom overcome sin, live in true freedom as guided by law and transcend our physical death by sharing in Christ’s eternal life.” (CFC 722)

AUTHENTIC FREEDOM

Freedom of children of God:“ We find true selves by acting as Jesus our Lord did and live happily the fruit of the Spirit in our free choices (Gal. 5:22) which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.