IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

CHAPTER 3
FREEDOM AND MORALITY

Learning Outcome:

At the end of this chapter, the students will be able to:

1. Discuss moral acts,

2. Put into practice Kant’s definition of freedom and morality,
3. Analyze the relationship of culture to morality,
4. Trace the historical origins and evolution of Filipino Values System; and
5. Evaluate the relevance and application of Filipino Values System
ntroduction
This module aims to analyze the nature of mores and values in ethics. It discusses the in-
terplay between the individual as a free moral agent, and his/her society or environment,
as well as the process of value experience, including the difference between values and
moral values. In broad strokes, it gives a background on the nature of morality and the
mores which are the subject matter of ethics. It examines the nature of mores, including
the development of the notion of what is ‘right’ in our culture. The module also examines
the notion of freedom as it relates to morality, together with the wide range of values and
moral values, including the nature and basis of the choices that we make.

Lesson Proper

Lesson 1: Freedom and Moral Acts

Introduction
In Kant philosophy, freedom is define as a concept which is involved in the moral
domain, in the question: what should I do?
In summary, Kant says that the moral law is only that I know myself as free person.
Kantian freedom is closely linked to the notion of autonomy, which means law itself: thus,
freedom falls obedience to the law that I created myself. It is therefore, respect its
commitment to compliance to oneself.
Lesson 1.1 Kant’s Morality and Freedom
To act freely is to act autonomously. To act autonomously is to act according to a law
I give myself. Whenever I act according to the laws of nature, demands of social convention,
when I pursue pleasure and comfort, I am not acting freely. To act freely is not to simply
choose s means to a given end. To act freely is to choose the end itself, for its own sake.
This is the central to Kant’s notion of freedom. For Kant, acting freely
( autonomously) and acting morally are one and the same thing.

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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

Kant’s notion of moral law and the connection between morality, freedom and reason:
1. Duty vs. Inclination (morality) - Only the motive of duty, acting according to the law I
give myself confers moral worth to an action. Any other motive, while possibly
commendable, cannot give an action moral worth.
2. Autonomy vs. Heteronomy (freedom) - I am only free when my will is determined
autonomously, governed by the law I give myself. Being part of nature, I am not exempt
from its law and I’m inclined or compelled to act according to those laws (act
heteronomously).
3. Categorical vs. Hypothetical Imperatives (reason) - Kant acknowledges two ways in
which reason can command the will, two imperatives. ( If I want to stay out jail, I must be
a good citizen and not rob banks). Hypothetical imperative is always conditional.

Lesson 1.2 What is Categorical Imperative?

This question can be answered from the idea of law that binds us as rational beings
regardless of any particular ends.
Here are two (2) main formulation of the Categorical Imperative:
1. Act only on that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a
universal law. “Maxim” is a rule, a principle that gives reason to action. This is a
“univesalizing test” that checks whether my action puts my intersts and circumstances
ahead of everyone else’s. My action will fail the test if it results in a contradiction.
2. “act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the
person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.” For
Kant, human existence has in itself an absolute value - it is in itself and the only ground of
a posible categorigal imperative.
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Lesson 1.3 The Role of Freedom in Morality

The personal aspect of morality - which might more properly be called ethics - is
about the cultivation of virtue: the development of character traits so that choosing the
good becomes a matter of habit. But a person, in order to be truly virtous, must be free to
cultivate the virtues, or not.
There is no virtue in being temperate when you are being forced not to indulge. There
is no virtue in being charitable when someone is forcing you to give up what is yours.
Virtue can be guided by cultural traditions and social institutions, but it cannot be coerced.
A virtues man can also be a free man.

Lesson 1.4 Freedom: The Foundation of Moral Act

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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

Freedom is humans’ greatest quality and it is a reflection of our creator. Freedom is

the power rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that and so to perform
deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility. Having freedom means having responsibility.
Every acion you choose further determines our character. Are animal free? Do they have
freedom? What separates human from animals? Reason: (intellect) and will (moral action).

Lesson 1.5 Freedom and Free Will

There are many possible limits to our freedom: both external and internal. External
freedom is a freedom from factors outside ourselves that limit or destroy our freewill.
Internal freedom is a freedom from interior factors that limit our free will.
Lesson 1.6 Requirement of True Freedom
True freedom is dependent upon truth, “You will know the truth and the truth will
set you free” (John 8:32) Example, lying to a teacher or to a friends. True freedom is
oriented toward the good. We should not understand freedom as the possibility of doing
evil. Evil enslaves us and diminishes our ability to be free. True freedom requires
responsibility. There is no such thing as irresponsible freedom.

Lesson 1.7 Human Acts vs. Acts of Human

Human acts make use of his knowledge and free will. Example: love your enemy,
pray to God, sacrifice for others. Acts of human do not make use of his intellect or will
knowledge. His action is natural. Example: are breathing, blinking, and sneezing.
True freedom liberates us to develop our God-given talents in a responsible way so we
can live our lives for others and for God. True freedom serves what is good, just and true.
A person is responsible for his voluntary acts. By progress in virtue, in knowledge of
good, and in self-discipline, he gains greater mastery. Man’s responsibility and imputability
can be lessened or nullified by ignorance, fear, habits, or inordinate attachment or other
factors.
Whenever man deliberately chooses, he is the “father of his acts”. these freely chosen
acts can be morally evaluated as good or evil.

Lesson 2: CULTURE AND MORALITY

Introduction
In a review essay on morality and culture, Mary Douglas pointed out that there exists
little communication between anthropologists writing on morals and the (Western) moral
philosophers. Anthropological findings enter the ethical discussions as ‘exotic examples.”
She expects this situation to last for quite sometime.

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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

There are two conversations that are parallel: one the philosophers’, about the
rational foundation of ethics, another the anthropologists’, about the interaction between
moral ideas and social institutions. The conversations, as they are set at the present time,
seems will never converge.
This module will try to know better what is morality in terms of culture, what are the
influence of culture in moral development?, some advantages and dis advantages of culture
to morality and the likes.

Lesson 2.1 What is Culture?

Culture is derived from the Latin word “cultura” or “cultus” which means care or
cultivation. Culture as cultivation implies that every human being is a potential member of
his own social group. He is endowed with certain innate qualities to make use. According to
Anthropologist Edward B. Tylor “culture is that complex whole which include knowledge,
belief, law, art, moral custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired as a member of
society.
On the other hand, sociologists defined culture as the entire way of life followed by
people, and everything learned and shared by people in society. According to Landis (1992),
culture is a complex set of learned and shared beliefs, customs, skills, habits, traditions
and knowledge common to members of society.

Lesson 2.2 The influence of Culture in Moral Development

Culture has been with us since the dawn of human existence. Significant as it is, a
culture considerably shapes its members on how they live and relate within themselves and
with other cultures. (Bretzke, 2004).
Culture is a social environment in which a person is born and wherein he or she lives
together with other persons. Hence, culture has a great impact in the development of a
human person in varied ways; may it be in physical, knowledge, thought, relationship,
religious or moral development.
Moreover, culture is a person’s social heritage that has been passed from one
generation to the next basically through the relationship that binds the society together. It
necessarily says on what are the things a member of the society must do, what to do and
how to do things. It teaches and conditions members on how to relate and live with the
other members of the society and even the people out of their own culture.
In general, culture plays a vital role in the development of the human person. In
every aspect of the human person, the cultural background can be very visible. In
particular, culture has an essential influence on the moral development of the human
person since morality is just one of the cultural aspects.

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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

Lesson 3: Dynamics of Culture

Introduction

The cross-cultural relationship is the idea that people from different cultures can
have relationship that acknowledge, respect and begin to understand each other’s diverse
lives. People with different backgrounds can help each other see posibilities that they never
thought were there because of limitations, or cultural prescriptions, posed by their own
traditions.
The concept of cultural relativism as we know and use it today was etablished as an
analytic tool by German - American anthropologist Franz Boas in the early 20 th century.
We recognize that the many cultures of the world have their own beliefs, values, and
practices that have developed in particular historical, political, social, material, and
ecological contexts and that it makes sense that they would differ from our own and that
none are necessarily right or wrong or good or bad, then we are engaging the concept of
cultural relativism.

Lessons 3.1 Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism is the ability to understand a culture on its own terms and not to
make judgments using the standards of one’s own culture. The goal of this is promote
understanding of cultural practices that are not typically part of one’s own culture. Using
the perspective of cultural relativism leads to the view that no culture is superior than
another culture when compared to systems of morality, law, politics, and so on.

Lesson 3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Cultural Relativism

Hereunder are the advantages of cultural relativism:

1. It is a system which promotes cooperation.
2. It creates a system where equality is possible.
3. People can pursue a genuine interest.
4. Respect is encouraged in a system of cultural relativism.
5. It preserves human culture.
6. Cultural relativism creates a society without judgement.
7. Moral relativism can be excluded from cultural relativism.
8. We can create personal moral codes based on societal standard with ease.
9. It stops cultural conditioning.

The disadvantages are as follows:

1. It creates a system that is fueled by personal bias.

2. It would create chaos.
3. It is an idea that is based on the perfection of humanity.

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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

4. It could promote of lack of diversity.

5. It draws people away from one another.
6. It could limit moral progress.
7. It could limit humanity’s progress.
8. Cultural relativism can turn perceptions into truth.

Lesson 4: The Filipino Way

Introduction

Our culture is a big reflection of our great and complex history. It is influenced by
most of the people we have interacted with. Filipino culture is unique compared to other
Asian countries, and beliefs applied every day in the life of the Filipinos reveal how rich and
blessed the culture of people have.

Lesson 4.1 The Filipino Customs and Traditions

What is it about the Philippines that makes it different from the rest of the world?
Well, for one thing, it is all about their culture. Example: “mano po” mano is a Spanish
word for “hand” while po is used at the end of the sentence when addressing elders or
superiors.

These are some traits that other people can’t take away from Filipinos:

1. Having close family ties.

2. The Bayanihan.
3. Courtship (harana)
4. Religion
5. Superstition
6. Marriage and Wedding Customs
7. Death
8. Society
9. Christmas in the Philippines
10. Fiestas
11. Living with Parents

Lesson 4.2 Characteristics of Filipino Culture

Here are some characteristics of the Filipinos that set them apart from any other
culture and society: (Dumaraos, 2018)

1. The Filipino people are very resilient.

2. Filipinos take pride in their families.
3. Filipinos are very religious.
4. Filipino are very respectful.
5. Filipino help one another.
6. Filipinos value traditions and culture.
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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

7. Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebration.

8. Filipinos love arts and architectures.
9. The Filipinos are hospitable people.

Lesson 4.3 Filipino Family Values

The family is the center of the social structure and includes the nuclear family,
aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and honorary relations such as godparents,
sponsors, and close family friends. People get strength and stability from their family. As
much, many children have several godparents.

The Filipino family consists of many traditional values that have been treasured and
passed on for many generations already. These values are incredibly beneficial.

Hereunder are the following traditional values:

1. Paggalang (Respect)
2. Pakikisama (Helping others)
3. Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude)
4. Pagpapahalaga sa Pamilya (Prioritizing Family)
5. Hiya (Shame)
6. Damayan System
7. Compassionate
8. Fun - Loving Trait

Lesson 4.4 Social Values of Filipinos

The great majority of the Philippine population is bound together by common values
and a common religion. Philippine society is characterized by many positive traits. Among
these are:

1. High regard for amor propio (self - esteem)

2. Smooth interpersonal relationships
3. Personal alliance system
4. The compadre system
5. Utang - na - loob
6. Suki relationship
7. Friendship

Lesson 4.5 Weaknesses of the Filipino Character

1. Passivity and lack of initiative

2. Colonial mentality
3. Kanya - kanya syndrome
4. Extreme personalism
5. Extreme family centeredness
6. Lack of discipline
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IFUGAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice Education Ethics

7. Lack of self-analysis and reflection

8. Ningas cogon
9. Gaya - Gaya Attitude

ASSESSMENT

1. Prove that freedom of the will exists by giving an example. Why is the freedom of the will
of man a conerstone of Ethics?