Freedom, Will, and Responsibility: A Philosophical Analysis
Nation and Free Will
Human beings possess the power to autogovernarnos and make our own decisions.
Freedom
Freedom: is not just the ability to go or come in or out, but the ability and choice. It is typical of our actions.
Will
Will: is the ability to choose after deliberating (to consider all the possibilities before choosing one.)
Intelligence
Intelligence: is what allows us to understand reality.
Why Do We Act?
Reason
Reason: is the justification we have for doing something.
Orders
Orders: are actions we do because we are commanded. They draw their strength from fear of punishment, sometimes from respect for the person who gave the order, and trust. They are not necessarily negative.
Customs
Customs: are gestures done without thinking (habits) that make our lives more comfortable. They help us avoid unnecessary pressure and represent obedience to societal norms, facilitating integration into society.
Caprice
Caprice: is a gesture that comes spontaneously from within, without external obligation. Sometimes it is innate, and sometimes it is a reaction to others.
A) An action is never good simply because it is commanded, a caprice, or a custom.
B) True freedom means deciding our own life, not what others have invented for us.
C) A person’s ethics has nothing to do with punishments or rewards.
Limited Freedom
Freedom is not absolute because humans cannot do anything.
A) Physical limitations: are related to nature (and cannot be changed).
B) Psychological limitations: we cannot know everything, and our feelings influence our conditions.
C) Moral limitations: arise when we discover we can do something, but we should not. These limitations should not be considered negative because freedom is conditioned to achieve a higher purpose, not an end in itself.
We are conditioned by our society, but we cannot forget What?
- We are not free to choose what happens to us, but we are free to respond in one way or another.
- We are free to try things; some things depend on our will. This highlights the importance of knowing our talents and limitations.
- External factors limit our freedom: unchosen circumstances.
Human beings are predictable, but we can never be completely certain of their actions.
Why Do We Choose Wrong?
Choosing something other than a good end can be considered an imperfection of reality. We choose wrong for two reasons:
- Lack of knowledge of the consequences of our actions.
- Not having tried hard enough.
Responsibility
Free acts can be attributed to someone, so the person performing them should be responsible. Freedom and responsibility are inseparable concepts.
A) We are responsible to others to the extent that our behavior affects them. Our decisions have a decisive influence.
B) We are responsible to ourselves: our actions and decisions shape who we become.
Conscience
Conscience: is a tool that helps us distinguish right from wrong. It is not an external imposition but a judge of the morality of our actions. To develop a good conscience, we need:
- Know that not all actions are equal; some benefit us, and others harm us.
- Be willing to examine whether our actions align with what we truly want.
- Practice moral behavior to develop good judgment so we do not accept what should be rejected.
Excuses
Giving excuses conceals that we are free and therefore responsible. Not taking responsibility for our values is an obstacle to the development of conscience. A moral principle does not force anyone to find their livelihood. The importance of educating the conscience is respected by three rules:
- Avoid doing evil.
- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
- Do not use improper means to obtain improper purposes.
Guilt: is a feeling experienced after committing an act that goes against our conscience.