Genesis 1:27 NIV
26Then God said, "Let Us make man in
Our image, according to Our likeness; and
let them rule over the fish of the sea and
over the birds of the sky and over the
cattle and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing that creeps on the
earth." 27God created man in His own
image, in the image of God He created
him; male and female He created them.
28God blessed them; and God said to
them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the
earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish
of the sea and over the birds of the sky
and over every living thing that moves on
the earth."…
HUMAN PERSON AND THE HUMAN FREEDOM
The HUMAN person- is a creature made in the
image of God
a. Local- based on myths and legends
b. Scientifc- based on facts and theories
c. Biblical- based on faith and traditions
1.LOCAL-
a. Malakas at Maganda
b. God’s baking
c. Woman’s pounding
2.SCIENTIFIC-
a. BIG-BANG- accidental events
b. EVOLUTION
- Bone structures
- Hairy bodies
- Walking lifestyles
3.BIBLICAL-
IMAGE AND LIKENESS
-Essentially good
-Has intellect
-Has freedom
-Social/relational
BODY (Physical) and SOUL (Spirit)
=That’s WHY we are capable to
understand=REASON
=We are capable “to do good”= FREEDOM
With these powers, we can become THE BEST
IN GOD’s creation—we are different and
superior to other animals.
When we used these powers for the
GLORY/PURPOSE of God- IT PROMOTES OUR
DIGNITY
HUMAN BEINGS AS ESSENTIALLY GOOD
-because we are created in the image and
likeness of God.--- it reflects God’s goodness
-natural inclination to do good and avoid evil
and CAPACITY do distinguish bet right and
wrong
- the more we act accordingly the more we
reflect our Creator
-we give glory to God by BEING
MAN/WOMAN
Gen 1:31- God look at everything He had
made, and He found it good
GOD GAVE MAN HUMAN FREEDOM
- Our will and reason to act is
anchored to one’s responsibility
TRUE / authentic Freedom- do what is good
and just
DIGNITATIS HUMANAE- people should act on
their own judgement,… not motivated by
sense of duty
CCC- CATHECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH- “not the right to say and do
anything, but to DO GOOD”--- communal
dimension of freedom
John 8:32- the truth will set you FREE
Man’s freedom is not unlimited--- called to
accept the moral law given by GOD;
Human freedom- its authentic and complete
fulfilment – is ACCEPTANCE of that LAW
Jean Paul Sartre’s Concept of Freedom
“freedom is existence, and in its existence
precedes essence.”
-what we do determines our apparent
qualities;
Each of us is responsible for everything we
do.
FREEDOM FROM- release from any physical
barriers: matter, energy, space and time.
Ex: disordered passions, fears, personality
defects, prejudices, psychological imbalances
Spiritual barriers: bad habits, vices
FREEDOM FOR- means authentic freedom
growing as full persons and children of God,
sharing in the life of Christ; FOUND in
authentic love; attaining the FULLNESS OF life
or happiness
CHRISTIAN FREEDOM- free from guilt; sin
John 15:8 When you bear much fruit, my
Father is honored and glorified and you show
and prove yourselves to be true followers of
Mine
CONCEPT of FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM
FREEDOM- at the center of human person
where he/she makes moral decision
(good/evil)
1. FF is exercised at the very core of
human person, the locus of self-
determination and moral
responsibility
2. Its object is not a particular action but
the entire self in its relation to God.
3. Its not an action but a PREFERENCE-
more like a stance or an attitude than
act of choosing
HUMAN PERSON HAS A FREE CHOICE
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS- free choice- we
become masters of our action
COUNCIL of TRENT- H.P are free to choose to
become what they want to be
VATICAN II- free choice is an exceptional sign
of the divine image w/in human persons
POPE JOHN PAUL II- self-determining
character free choice
*The moral dimension of Christian Faith –
resides in responding to God’s grace by a
wholeheartedly--- we gradually become what
we morally are by what we morally do.
Y-IELD YOURSELF
E-XAMINE YOUR LIFE
S-URRENDER YOURSELF to God
As embodied spirits and relational beings, we
have natural inclinations towards---
foundations of freedom, refined by cultivating
virtues
1.truth
2.the good/happiness
3.preservation of being
4.procreation and Marriage
5.friendship and Life in Society
FUNDAMENTAL OPTION OF HUMAN
FREEDOM
a. Freedom for- inner; one’s growth as
full person and Christian charity
b. Freedom from- external; forced to do
sth against will
c. Fundamental option- a free and
responsible determination of one with
regard to the totality of his existence
THREATS TO INNER FREEDOM:
a. Subhuman living conditions
b. Arbitrary imprisonment
c. Inhuman working condition
d. Exploitation
e. Tyranny
INTERIOR OBSTACLES TO AUTHENTIC
FREEDOM
a. Ignorance
b. Disordered passion
 c. Fears
d. Personality defects
e. Bad habits
f. Psychological disturbances
g. Exterior forces such as violence
+doing evil is NOT freedom, only a SIGN that
we have the capability to choose
+man GAINS dignity when he freely chooses
what is good; the freer we become when we
do good.
INNER FREEDOM- refers to freedom to
become all we can possibly be
EXTERNAL FREEDOM- refers to the freedom
of action, the freedom to do whatever we
want to do.
HUMAN PERSON –
FREEDOM TO BE ONESELF: is a process of
growth in freedom to reach the ultimate goal
of a person in life; freedom that promotes the
fulfillment of life.
Responsible freedom lead us to the FRUITS of
the Spirit:
-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-
control
GUIDE FOR RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKING
1.RESPECT FOR YOURSELF
2.RESPECT FOR FELLOW CHRISTIANS
3.RESPECT FOR CHURCH
4.R FOR THE OUTSIDERS
HUMAN PERSON AS RELATIONAL
1. BEING BY others (conception, birth,
upbringing)
2. Being with others
3. BEING for others (love and service)
RELATIONSHIP with Himself/herself
1.yes to ourselves—seeing ourselves rooted in
God
2.Yes to others-compassion, acceptance,
mercy, forgiveness
RELATIONSHIP with OTHER human Beings
+ HUMANS are ACCOUNTABLE for what they
have received. It is God’s prerogative.
Mission of man is to develop his/her talents
and potentials to the fullest and to reach the
perfection he/she is called to attain.
Humans are responsible for their actions;
accountable stewards
“God has place happiness in the human heart
in order to draw man to the ONE who alone
can fulfill it. God alone satisfies.”
PRINCIPLE OF STEWARDSHIP- GEN 1:26-28
*USEFUL DOMINION- all things are meant for
their use and service--- but to use things
reasonably, responsibly.
*Human life becomes the basic and
fundamental requirement for persons to carry
out their mission
WHO AM I?- grounded on Jesus Christ. HIS
“GRACE RESTORES what sin had DAMAGED in
us.”
MORAL LIFE MEANS TO FOLLOW CHIRST
JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN
MORAL LIFE
Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and
you will not gratify the desires of the
flesh.
We are other Christs—Alter Christus

2nd ppt
HUMAN ACTS
- Christ. Moral life is – becoming
loving persons
+all aspects are under the scrutiny of Christ.
Morality
+with our INTELLECT and freewill, we are the
moral agent; SUPPORTING actor; Christ- lead
actor
CONCEPT AND NATURE OF HUMAN ACTS
HUMAN ACTS- actus humanus
- Are actions that proceed from
insight into the nature and
purpose of one’s doing and from
the consent of free will.
- Any thought, word, deed, desire,
omission which comes from a
person acting with FULL
knowledge OF What he/she is
doing
Ex: thinking, loving, reading, studying, praying,
reciting in class
ACTS OF MAN- actus hominis
- Are performed w/o intervention
of intellect and free will.
- Spontaneous biological process,
like nutrition, breathing, sensual
impressions; ACTs performed w/o
the USE of reason- lunatics,
drunk, asleep
- Carried out against one’s personal
will
- Indeliberate, involuntary, not free,
not under one’s control; beyond
the mind and the will
CONSTITUENT PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN ACTS
 Knowledge
 Freedom
 voluntariness
1. knowledge- know. Of the aspired object,
attention to the action, judgements on the
value of the act
2. freedom- consent of the freewill w/c
implies freedom from any external or internal
compulsion
2. voluntariness- anything that is object of the
will IS called, WILLED- VOLITUM
*not everything that is willed is necessarily an
effect
Ex: setting a house on fire—not caused but
desired by someone—is willed but not the
effect of the will
VOLUNTARY- voluntarium; when what is
willed is both THE OBJECT and the EFFECT of
the wil
-Determined by the will of the agent
-a.k.a INTENTION OF THE AGENT
3rd ppt
WHERE AM I?
Human ACTS- refers to acts w/c are fully
human- deliberate act--- HAVE MORAL
QUALITY
-many human acts are morally indifferent—
ordinarily, whether I wear the blue or white
shirt
Act of man- an act that a human being does
Ex: snoring
SOURCES DEFINING THE MORALITY OF THE
HUMAN ACTS
A. OBJECT/ACT ITSELF
B. INTENTION
C. CIRCUMSTANCES
OBJECT/ACT ITSELF- the effect w/c an action The time- exact definite moment or hour
primarily and directly causes—FINIS OPERIS;
Manner- way the agent MANAGES to do
-RESULT of the ACT, independent of any his/her act
circumstances, or of the intention of the
Agent- answers the question, “in what
agent.
condition was the agent when she perfomed
Ex of MORAL OBJECTS: the act?- ignorant, influenced by fear, habits,
emotions?
She stole money.
The thing itself- special quality of the object
She lied under oath
Ex: religious icon, desecrated statue
CIRCUMSTANCES- conditions outside the act
(not part of the act) that influence or affect The means- by what means, by whose help?
the act by increasing or lessening its
Ex: inside job robbery
voluntariness or freedom, affecting the
morality of an act. INTENTION
-it increase the goodness or badness of an act. - Refers to the goal w/c the agent
aims to achieve thru his/her act
THE 7 CIRCUMSTANCES
- Reason, purpose or end why
1. The person- who
PRINCIPLES OF INTENTION:
2. The time- when
3. The place-where 1. An act w/c is good in itself and is done
4. The manner-how for a good end becomes DOUBLY
5. The condition of the agent- why GOOD.
6. The thing itself-what 2. An act w/c is bad done…
7. The means- by what means 3. An act w/c is GOOD in itself and done
THE PERSON- refers to the doer (agent) of the with bad intention BECOMES BAD.
act or to whom the act is done 4. An act w/c is BAD in itself and is done
with GOOD end DOES NOT BECOME
GOOD.
5. An indifferent act w/c is done for a
good end becomes GOOD.
6. An indifferent act w/c is done for a
bad end becomes BAD.

5 DERIVATIVE principles from Sources of

Defning the MORALITY OF human acts:
2 principles under the CIRCUMSTANCE of
person:
a. A good act can become better or a
bad act can become worse BY THE
REASON of the doer
b. A good act can become better or a
bad act can become worse BY THE
REASON of the PERSON to whom the
Act is done.
THE PLACE- space of locality where it is done
1. An act is morally good if the act itself,
the purpose, circumstances- good
2. If an act is evil, the act is not morally
allowable regardless of the intention
and circumstance.
3. If an act itself is MORALLY good or at
least indifferent, its morality will be
judged by the purpose of
circumstance.
4. Circumstance may create, mitigate or
aggravate sin.
 5. If all three determinants of the
morality of human acts are good, the
act is good.
MODIFIERS OF HUMAN ACTS
= factors that may diminish one’s culpability
=knowns as OBSTACLES affecting the
voluntariness of human acts
 *IGNORANCE
 *CONCUPISCENCE
 *FEAR
 *VIOLENCE
 *HABIT
IGNORANCE- merely the lack of know. Of a
person capable of knowing a certain thing
 Invincible ignorance- unconquerable;
cannot be cleared up or dispelled;
know. That is lacking cnt be acquired;
eliminates responsibilty
Ex: 1. Dr. Makabuhay is seriously ill,
knows that he should take some
medicine or apply different methods
of treatment. He does all he can to
learn what he should do, but with no
success. His ignorance about the
proper remedy is invincible
 Vincible ignorance- which can and
SHOULD be dispelled; can be cleared
up –diligent enough; does not
eliminate moral respon. BUT LESSENS
it
Ex: A manila resident who violates
traffic laws due to his/her act because
his/her ignorance is vincible
There are Three Kinds of Vincible
Ignorance
 simple VINCIBLE
 CRASS or supine ignorance
 affected vincible ignorance
SIMPLE V.
- when one uses some, but not
enough diligence in an effort to
remove ignorance
If one performs an objectively wrong action
whose wrongness one is unaware of because
of simple ignorance, the action is culpable.
However the culpability is lessened by the
presence of that ignorance.
CRASS OR SUPINE- - not directly willed,could
and should be cleared up, left wholly
undistributed; MERE LACK OF EFFORT
Here, crass or supine ignorance lessens the
imputability of an act, Still, it makes one
gravely culpable if it concerns a matter of
grave importance.
AFFECTED VINCIBLE
- deliberately fostered in order to
avoid any obligation that know.
Might bring to light; DELIBRATE
UNWILLINGNESS
Affected Ignorance in regard to a matter of
serious importance is gravely culpable.
Ignorance of the law is lack of knowledge that
a particular law exists
Ignorance of the fact is lack of realization that
one is violating a law
FEAR- mental agitation of disturbance
brought about by apprehension
2 types of FEAR:
1. GRAVE FEAR
2. SLIGHT FEAR
GRAVE FEAR: aroused by the presence of
danger; regarded as serious; judged to be
serious by the one concerned.
SLIGHT FEAR- a danger not serious, not very
probable
Principle of Fear
 1. One acts because of fear if it is the
fear that induces him/her to act so.
2. Actions that are performed because
of fear, however great the fear may
be, are voluntary (at least
conditionally and so, are imputable.
3. One acts with fear if fear merely
accompanies one’s act but does not
cause it.
Concupiscence- passion is a movement of the
sensitive (irrational) appetite which is
produced by good or evil as apprehended by
the mind
Passions are not evil in themselves, they are
usually called feelings or emotions: Love,
hatred, joy, grief, desire, aversion, hope,
courage, fear, anger.
Two Types of Concupiscence
1. Antecedent
2. Consequent
Antecedent concupiscence is the type which
arises spontaneously before the previous
judgment of reason and before the will
controls the psychological situation; lessens
the voluntariness of an act; does not destroy
the vol of an act
violence, the evil act to which one is
forced is in no wise culpable.
2. If one does not resist the violence as
fully as possible, such as in the case of
imperfect violence, the culpability of
the evil act is lessened but not taken
away
3. If one sees that any resistance would
be wholly ineffective, there is no
obligation to resist. The reason is that
one is not obliged to do what is
useless
Habits- inclination to perform some particular
action acquired by repetition; decreased
power of resistance and an increased facility
of performance.
If a Habit disposes to evil, it is a vice; if to
good, it is a virtue.
2 Principles on Habit
1. Evil habits do not lessen the imputability of
evil actions performed by force of habit if the
habit has been recognized as evil and is freely
permitted to continue.
2. Evil habits lessen the imputability of evil
actions performed by force of habit if one is
sincerely trying to correct the habit.

Consequent concupiscence is deliberately

aroused by the will to ensure a more prompt
and willing operation; however great, does
not lesson the vol. of an act.

VIOLENCE- EXTERNAL force applied by a free

cause for the purpose of compelling person to
perform an act w/c against his will

2 Kinds of Violence

1. Perfect violence is one in which

complete resistance is given
2. imperfect violence occurs when some
resistance is shown but not as much
as should be

3 Principles on Violence

1. If one resists the violence as much as

possible, such as in the case of perfect