based on philo lecture notes: 4 Flashcards
BRO IS MANIFESTING ALL THE CALAMANSI IN THE WORLD BC WHAT D HALE EVEN GOES ON IN PHILO
The absence of external force and coercion and freedom that goes hand in hand with the government and individual rights
negative freedom
He argued that in this state, individuals have absolute freedom to pursue their desires, but this freedom is accompanied by a constant fear of violence and insecurity
- In his view, true freedom is achieved when individuals surrender their natural rights to a sovereign authority in a social contract, creating a commonwealth where external violence is restrained, allowing for the pursuit of individual interests.
Thomas Hobbes
Natural freedom could be limited by the“inconveniences” of the state of nature, particularly in resolving conflicts.
- To secure freedom and protect property, individuals enter into a social contract to form a civil society with a limited government
John Locke
John Stuart Mill introduced this principle which states that society can only restrict an individual’s freedom to harm others
Harm Principle by Mill
Hobbes’ Iron Fist authority
The Levithan
Philosopher that claims individuals should have the maximum possible freedom to pursue their interests, provided that their actions do not harm others.
John Stuart Mill
The notion that delves into the idea of self-mastery, self-realization, and the capacity to act autonomously in alignment with one’s own authentic values and desires.
positive freedom
Spiritual and philosophical tradition that emphasizes the path to liberation from suffering
Buddhist philosophy
Positive freedom is closely tied to the idea of liberation from the cycle of suffering
samsara
when Buddhists believe that positive freedom is achieved by ultimately attaining nirvana, a state of complete freedom from suffering
freedom as self-mastery
Positive freedom in Buddhism involves the ethical development of one’s character, cultivating virtues like compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness
ethical development
Buddhism when detaching oneself from worldly desires and transcending the ego, leads to spiritual liberation and inner peace
detachment and liberation
Immanuel Kant, an Enlightenment philosopher, introduced the concept of autonomy and moral freedom
- what do you call Immanuel Kant’s philosophy
Kantian Philosophy
A notion according to Kant, where freedom is grounded by the capacity to act according to rational, self-imposed, moral principle
Autonomy
A notion, according to Kant, guides moral actions, emphasizing that individuals should act in a way that will make them become a universal law.
categorial imperative
A notion according to Kant, aligns with rationality and human dignity, enabling individuals to act freely and morally
self-legislation
Focuses on the relationship between freedom and society
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Concept introduced by Rousseau which represents the collective will of a just society
General will
Rousseau’s positive freedom is tied to individuals’ participation in creating the laws and norms of a just society. It involves the capacity to act as a citizen in shaping the rules that govern one’s life
Freedom means Social Participation through the Social Contract
In the social contract, individuals are both free and equal participants in determining the common good, making positive freedom a collective and individual endeavor.
Freedom through citizenship
A psychoanalyst and humanistic philosopher posits that freedom is not merely the absence of external constraints but a dynamic process rooted in human nature
- concept of positive freedom implies that individuals must engage in continuous self-exploration and self-realization.
Erich Fromm
Involves self-awareness, responsibility, and the ability to act in alignment with one’s authentic self
Basic Idea of Fromm’s notion of freedom
example: Consider a person who, driven by societal expectations, pursues a career that brings financial success but stifles their true passions.
- is this genuine freedom according to Fromm?
Formm would argue that this individual is NOT experiencing genuine freedom
presents a holistic perspective on freedom deeply intertwined with his spiritual philosophy.
Rudolf Steiner
True freedom emerges from spiritual development and ethical considerations. He contends that freedom, when aligned with moral principles, least to harmonious and just social structures.
Basic Idea of Steiner’s notion of freedom
example: a community where individuals actively engage in ethical practices and consider the well-being of others in their decision-making.
- does this align with Steiner’s notion of freedom?
YES
Philosophical movement that explores the nature of human existence, emphasizing individuality. The human person is responsible to find meaning and a sense of purpose in life
existentialism
Existentialists emphasize that humans have the burden of making choices and taking responsibility
existentialist notion of freedom
making choices in alignment with one’s values, rather than succumbing to external influences or societal norms
existentialist notion of authenticity
individuals grapple with the weight of their choices and the responsibility that comes with them
the existentialist notion of anguish and responsibility
freedom is radical. Argues that humans are absolutely free to choose their actions and this freedom extends to choosing one’s values and ethics
Jean-Paul Sartre’s radical freedom
denying one’s freedom and pretending to be bound by external forces or societal roles to avoid responsibility
bad faith according to Sartre
the weight of choices and the absence of external guidance leading to anxiety and uncertainty
existential anguish
Philosophical position or belief that all events, including human actions and choices, are predetermined or governed by causal laws.
- cause and effect
determinism
posits that all events, including human actions, are predetermined and inevitable, driven by factors beyond human control such as fate or a deterministic universe
- free will is an illusion
hard determinism
While there are factors influencing human behavior, individuals still possess a degree of free will.
soft determinism
Ancient Greek philosophers proposed atomism, the idea that the universe consists of indivisible particles (atoms) in constant motion, following deterministic laws
Leucippus and Democritus
A French mathematician and physicist known for his experiment, where he argued that if someone knew the positions and velocities of all particles in the universe, they could predict the future with certainty.
Pierre-Simon Laplace
Determinism provides a sense of order and predictability in the universe, as every effect has a specific cause
casual consistency as an argument for determinism
Determinism seems to align with the idea that natural laws govern the behavior of all things, including human actions
compatibility with natural laws as an argument for determination
challenges to determinism
- indeterminacy in quantum mechanics
- human agency
arguments for freedom
- moral autonomy
- human dignity
challenges to freedom
- deterministic challenges
- external constraints
freedom of movement, personal autonomy, and freedom from imprisonment
physical freedom
freedom of thought, emotional, and intellectual freedom
psychological freedom
freedom of conscience, religion, and moral decision-making
moral freedom
freedom of association, freedom of speech, and cultural freedom
social freedom
freedom of assembly, democratic participation, and freedom of the press
political freedom
authenticity, freedom of meaning, and responsibility
existential freedom
It entails the notion of acting “freely” in alignment with one’s subjective wishes, individual preferences, and desires. In other words, it implies acting in accordance with one’s subjective values, beliefs, or feelings, devoid of external constraints like societal norms, legal regulations, or moral codes
subjectivistic misconception of freedom
The idea that individuals possess a form of freedom that transcends the causal determinism of the natural world. It also suggests a kind of freedom that is not bound by the physical laws governing the universe.
transcendental misconception of freedom
Implies that freedom can be quantified, measured, or proven through scientific methods.
scientific misconception of freedom
Oversimplifies the complex nature of liberty and personal autonomy. This form of freedom tends to emphasize individual desires and preferences without adequate consideration for the broader societal context, leading to potential conflicts and challenges
populist misconception of freedom
Example: Imagine a person who thinks that freedom means doing whatever they want, regardless of its impact on others. They may argue that their freedom includes actions that harm or infringe upon the rights of others
- what type of misconception is this?
subjectivistic misconception
Some might argue that scientific studies have shown that certain restrictions on personal behavior are necessary for a functioning society. They claim the boundaries of freedom
- what type of misconception is this?
scientific misconception
people that do things that are universally considered unethical or immoral, because they believe their personal freedom supersedes all other considerations.
- what type of misconception is this?
transcendental misconception
Some political movements or ideologies prioritize individual
liberties without a balanced regard for collective well-being. One might advocate for unrestricted freedom of speech without acknowledging the potential harm caused by hate speech or misinformation.
- what type of misconception is this?
Populist misconception
an individual’s capacity to make moral decisions and take
morally responsible actions based on their own values, principles, and conscience.
moral agency
He believed that moral
agency is rooted in individual subjectivity and inner feelings of reverence
moral agency according to Schleiermacher
It encompasses a set of good moral qualities, habits, and character traits
that enable individuals to act in morally upright and virtuous ways.
moral virtue
strong emphasis on moral virtue as a means to achieve ethical excellence. He believed that
individuals should cultivate virtuous character traits to lead a life of ‘Eudaimonia’ (Happiness) or human flourishing.
moral virtue according to Aristotle
moral virtue lies between deficiency and excess. Virtuous actions find balance between extremes
golden mean by Aristotle
