Freedom

Explained by the Simpson Family

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 ones own
responsibility.

Having freedom means that we are

responsible for our actions. Every
action we choose, further,
determines our character.

Arguments against Freedom

Determinists hold that every event, action and
decision inevitably results from something
independent of the human will.

Genetics

Environment

Psychological Factors
Fate

Astrology

Rationalization devising self-serving

excuses for behavior

He who excuses himself

accuses himself.
Gabriel Meurier

Further Definition of Freedom

External Freedom includes
freedom from factors outside
ourselves that threaten or
destroy our power to exercise
choice.
Internal Freedom includes
freedom from interior factors
that limit choice.
Addiction

Fear

Harsh Government
Illness

Poverty

Limits to Freedom
The modern world often defines freedom as doing
whatever one wants.
This kind of freedom is more precisely defined as license
(text) or freedom of indifference (Pinckaers).

True freedom elevates humans; it never demeans.

This mentality has created such an
emphasis on the freedom of choice that the
fundamental right to life itself of innocent
human beings has been assaulted and
denied. It is a gross distortion of the
exercise of freedom to attack other human
beings and the values Gods law seeks to
protect pg 84

True freedom is not license. License is

unbridled, excessive, undisciplined freedom
that abuses true liberty.

DOH!

By deviating from the

moral law man violates
his own freedom,
becomes imprisoned
within himself, disrupts
neighborly fellowship,
and rebels against
divine truth.

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.
Every person possesses
basic moral inclinations
and a primal moral sense
that no corruption due to
sin can completely
destroy Pinckaers

Pinckaers Clarification
Freedom of Indifference/ License

Freedom of Excellence/ True Freedom

The power to choose between

contraries

The power to act freely with

excellence and perfection

Does not recognize inclination

towards good
Resides in the will

Recognizes inclination towards good

Is entire from the first moment

Develops through education and

discipline

Has no need for virtue

Virtue and habit are essential

Synonymous with self-assertion

Open to the common good

Moral law, Natural law and any

form of legality is seen as
constrictive to freedom

Resides in the reason and the will

If the law is founded on the true

and good, it creates a structure
to enhance freedom

Responsibility
To every degree that our choices are voluntary,
we are responsible for our actions.
Imputable is another word for
accountable
Culpability is another word for
blameworthiness

Remember those things that can

lessen or nullify culpability???

Ooh..
Culpability!

In other words, the worlds definition

of freedom isnt really True
Freedom at allIt is simply the
license to make choices that will
eventually enslave us to our fallen
passions!
True Freedom pays attention to the
laws written in our nature and those
revealed by God. Making choices
that follow those laws, then, helps us
to live the life God wants us to live to
our fullest potential.