Fundamentals of Catholic Morality - Freedom

Summary

This video from the Fisherman's Net explores the concept of human freedom, a cornerstone of Catholic morality, often misunderstood. It explains freedom as the power to act based on intellect and will, distinguishing it from mere choice. The video clarifies that true freedom is realized when directed towards good, and misuse of freedom leads to enslavement to sin. It emphasizes that freedom is not an absolute but is meant to serve the good, true, and just, setting the stage for a discussion on moral conscience in the next video.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The video discusses the concept of human freedom, a foundational aspect of Catholic morality and moral decision-making.
• 🏁 Freedom in the video is defined as the power rooted in our intellect and will to act or not to act, which is essential for moral actions.
• 🐾 The script distinguishes human freedom from the limited choices of pets, emphasizing that only humans have the freedom to shape their lives through deliberate actions.
• 🔑 Freedom is what makes our actions voluntary and morally accountable, as it is rooted in the capacity to understand truth and choose good.
• 🚫 The video points out that freedom can be compromised under certain conditions like invincible ignorance, severe duress, or compulsion, affecting our moral responsibility.
• 💡 It is highlighted that freedom is often misunderstood as an absolute good, but true freedom is limited and can lead to enslavement if misused, such as through sin.
• 🔄 The concept of sin is presented as a misuse of freedom, leading to a cycle of repeated actions that enslave individuals to their vices.
• 🛑 The script argues against the improper understanding of freedom as an end in itself, emphasizing that true freedom is ordered towards the good.
• 🛤️ Freedom is perfected when directed towards God, according to the Catholic tradition, and the ability to choose good without hindrance is the true essence of freedom.
• 🚫 Choosing evil is not an exercise of freedom but an abuse of it, leading to enslavement to sin rather than liberation.
• 🌰 An analogy of a rototiller is used to illustrate the proper use of freedom, emphasizing that using freedom for evil is akin to misusing a tool for destructive purposes.

Q & A

What is the main concept discussed in the video series about Catholic morality?

The main concept discussed in the video series is human freedom and its foundational role in Catholic morality and moral decision-making.

How is human freedom defined in the context of this video?

Human freedom is defined as the power rooted in our intellect and will to act or not to act, to perform deliberate actions on our own responsibility.

Why is human freedom considered a misunderstood concept in modern culture?

Human freedom is often misunderstood because it has been absolutized in modern culture, allowing anything to be claimed in the name of freedom, even immoral actions according to Catholic faith and right reason.

What differentiates human freedom from the choices made by animals or pets?

Human freedom is differentiated by being rooted in an intellect that can grasp the truth and a will that can choose the good, which is not the case with animals or pets whose choices are not properly free in this moral sense.

How do moral actions become either morally good or morally bad?

Moral actions become either morally good or morally bad based on whether they flow from freedom, which is properly grounded in intellect and will.

What is the relationship between freedom and moral responsibility?

Freedom is what makes us responsible for our acts, making them voluntary and giving them a moral basis. Our responsibility is imputable to the extent that our actions flow from freedom.

Under what circumstances can our responsibility for actions be lessened or nullified?

Our responsibility can be lessened or nullified when our freedom is compromised, such as under invincible ignorance, severe duress, fear, compulsion, or severe habit influenced by social, psychological, or other factors.

How does the video address the misuse of the concept of freedom?

The video addresses the misuse of freedom by pointing out that it is often exalted as an absolute value, which can lead to the justification of evil in the name of choice, and that true freedom is directed towards the good.

What is the true understanding of freedom according to the Catholic tradition presented in the video?

The true understanding of freedom from the Catholic tradition is that it is the ability to do the good without hindrance, and that freedom finds its perfection in choosing the good.

How does the video explain the concept of freedom being abused when choosing evil?

The video explains that using freedom to choose evil is not a proper exercise of freedom but an abuse, as true freedom is ordered and directed towards the good, and choosing evil leads to enslavement to sin.

What is the analogy used in the video to illustrate the misuse of freedom?

The video uses the analogy of a rototiller, a machine for turning up soil in a garden, being misused by a teenager who uses it to tear up a living room carpet, illustrating that using freedom for evil is an abuse of its true purpose.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Understanding Human Freedom in Morality

This paragraph delves into the concept of human freedom, which is foundational to Catholic morality and often misunderstood. It explains that freedom is the power to act or not act based on our intellect and will, distinguishing it from the instinctual behaviors of animals. The speaker emphasizes that true freedom is rooted in the ability to grasp truth and choose good, which makes human actions morally significant. The paragraph also touches on the idea that freedom can be compromised, leading to reduced responsibility for actions taken under duress or ignorance. It concludes by highlighting the importance of freedom in determining the moral quality of our decisions.

05:02

🔒 The Misunderstanding of Freedom and Its Proper Use

The second paragraph addresses the common misconception that freedom is an absolute good and the ultimate goal, which can lead to the justification of evil acts under the guise of choice. It discusses the biblical account of the fall of man, illustrating how freedom can lead to sin and enslavement when not directed towards good. The speaker clarifies that true freedom is perfected when it is used to choose good, and that choosing evil is an abuse of freedom, leading to a loss of freedom and enslavement to sin. The paragraph uses the analogy of a rototiller, a gardening tool, to illustrate the proper and improper use of freedom, emphasizing that freedom is meant to serve the good, true, and just.

Keywords

💡Human Freedom

Human freedom refers to the power rooted in our intellect and will to act or not to act, to perform deliberate actions on our own responsibility. It is central to the video's theme as it underpins the concept of moral actions and decisions. The script discusses how human freedom is often misunderstood and misused in culture, being claimed for actions that are immoral yet justified under the guise of 'freedom' or 'choice'.

💡Moral Decision-Making

Moral decision-making is the process of making choices based on ethical considerations, which is a foundational aspect of Catholic morality that the video aims to explore. It is intrinsically linked to the concept of human freedom, as our freedom to choose between good and evil is what makes our actions morally significant.

💡Intellect

Intellect, in the context of the video, is the cognitive faculty that allows us to grasp the truth and understand moral principles. It is essential for human freedom because it enables us to discern right from wrong, which is a prerequisite for moral actions.

💡Will

Will is the faculty of making conscious decisions and choices. It is closely tied to human freedom, as it is through the will that we can choose to act in accordance with our intellect's understanding of the good, thus performing moral actions.

💡Moral Responsibility

Moral responsibility is the accountability for one's actions that stem from freedom. The video emphasizes that actions are only morally good or bad if they flow from freedom, making us responsible for our choices and their consequences.

💡Imputability

Imputability refers to the attribute of actions being attributable to an individual, making them responsible for those actions. The script explains that imputability can be lessened or nullified when freedom is compromised, such as in cases of invincible ignorance or severe duress.

💡Invincible Ignorance

Invincible ignorance is a state of being unaware of a truth without any fault of one's own. The video uses this concept to illustrate situations where moral responsibility might be reduced because the individual was acting out of ignorance, not malice.

💡Enslavement to Sin

Enslavement to sin is the condition of being bound to sinful behavior due to repeated transgressions. The video script explains that the more we sin, the more our freedom is diminished, as we become slaves to our vices rather than being free to choose the good.

💡True Freedom

True freedom, as discussed in the video, is the ability to choose the good without hindrance. It is contrasted with the misuse of freedom, where people may claim the right to do anything they want, regardless of morality. True freedom finds its perfection in aligning with God's plan and choosing actions that are morally good.

💡Moral Conscience

Moral conscience is an aspect of Catholic morality that the video promises to explore in a subsequent video. While not fully explained in the provided script, it is implied to be a misunderstood concept that plays a crucial role in moral decision-making.

💡Service of the Good

Service of the good is the idea that true freedom is realized when it is directed towards doing what is morally right and just. The video argues against the notion that freedom is an end in itself, stating that it is meant to serve the higher purpose of aligning with goodness and truth.

Highlights

The video discusses the concept of human freedom, a foundational aspect of Catholic morality and moral decision-making.

In culture, freedom is often seen as an absolute value, leading to misuse and misunderstanding.

Freedom is defined as the power rooted in our intellect and will to perform deliberate actions.

Only humans possess true freedom, which allows us to shape our lives through our decisions.

Moral actions are characterized as morally good or bad based on whether they flow from freedom.

Actions that don't flow from freedom, like a sneeze or hiccup, are not morally praiseworthy or blameworthy.

Freedom makes us responsible for our acts, giving them a moral basis.

Imputability of actions is tied to whether they flow from freedom, affecting responsibility.

Certain circumstances like invincible ignorance or severe duress can lessen or nullify our responsibility.

Sin leads to a failure of freedom, as it enslaves us to something other than the good.

True freedom is attained when directed towards God, aligning with the Catholic understanding.

Freedom is not an absolute end or goal but is limited and fallible, often misunderstood.

Choosing evil is not an exercise of freedom but an abuse, leading to enslavement to sin.

Freedom finds its perfection in choosing the good, contrary to the common misconception.

An analogy of a rototiller is used to illustrate the proper and improper use of freedom.

The next video will discuss the concept of moral conscience, another key aspect of Catholic morality.

Transcripts

hello and welcome to another video from

the fisherman's net and Saints Peter and

Paul in Naperville Illinois in this

series of videos we're looking at some

of the foundations for Catholic morality

and for moral decision-making and in

this video we want to look at one

particular concept that's really at the

foundations of the ground level for

morality but it's also a concept that's

very often misunderstood or at least

misused and that is human freedom so

human freedom our freedom is something

that in our culture has really been

almost absolute Iced freedom for an

American is one of the greatest values

that we have but it's been so absolute

eyes that anything can be claimed in the

name of freedom and in fact if you think

about it there are things that are

according to our Catholic faith and

according to a right reason immoral that

are claimed under the heading of freedom

or choice so we want to look at this

concept of freedom so freedom is simply

the power that's rooted in our intellect

and our will to act or not to act to do

this or that and so to perform

deliberate actions on our own

responsibility so in that sense this

kind of freedom we're talking about

wouldn't apply to say our pets your dog

may be free to choose what it does all

day while you're away at work but that's

not what we're talking about with

freedom in this sense this is freedom

that properly grounds moral actions and

so it's got to be rooted in an intellect

that can grasp the truth and a will that

can choose the good so in that sense are

the creatures that surround us only

humans have truly proper freedom and so

we are the only ones the only creatures

in the

the world that can shape their own lives

through our free decisions and so these

free decisions this freedom really

characterize this moral actions as

either morally good or morally bad

something can't be morally good or bad

if it doesn't flow from freedom think

things that we do that don't flow from

freedom like a sneeze a sneeze doesn't

come from the intellect and will it

simply happens or hiccup those are

actions that people might find funny or

annoying or whatever but they wouldn't

praise us as morally virtuous for

sneezing nor would they blame us as

somehow bad or evil for a hiccup those

are things that don't flow from

intellect and will aren't properly free

so freedom is what makes us responsible

for our acts makes them actually

voluntary and therefore gives them this

moral basis and one of the aspects we

have to understand then when it comes to

freedom is imputable 'ti my actions are

imputable to me they're my

responsibility I have responsibility for

those actions insofar as they flow from

freedom and there are certain acts that

normally flow from freedom where our

impute ability our responsibility can

actually be lessened or even nullified

if our freedom is compromised so think

of actions that are taken under what we

would call invincible ignorance we were

ignorant of something through no fault

of our own or severe duress or fear

where we make an action under compulsion

or a severe habit other social

psychological or social factors that

actually lessen our freedom those acts

no longer flow from a full freedom

rooted in intellect and will that can

lessen our impute ability or our

responsibility and that will come up

later as we talk about some of the

different aspects of morality

so for now we have to understand more

freedom morality is rooted in this

freedom which is based on our intellect

and our will and it's this level of

freedom this aspect of freedom that

gives actions either they're morally

praiseworthy or morally blameworthy

status but here's another aspect of

freedom that's very often misunderstood

as I said at the beginning of this video

freedom is often seen as an end or a

goal or good in itself held up as almost

the supreme value for some people a lot

of evil is done in the name of choice a

lot of evil is excused in the name of

choice well I I may think something is

wrong but I don't want to tell someone

how to live their life they have to

choose right what we want to say here is

that's an improper understanding of

freedom when we exalt freedom almost to

the status of an absolute our freedom is

limited and it's fallible in fact our

freedom has failed it failed by the

third chapter of Genesis when man and

woman sinned that freely their freedom

which was fallible and limited failed by

refusing God's plan of love we deceived

ourselves and we continue to do this

through sin and here's the key when we

sin we tend to become a slave of sin

think perhaps there's a sin in your life

where you go to confession and you're

repeating ly confessing that sin or

maybe you can just recognize in your own

life some sin that's been with you for a

long time the more we sin the more we're

inclined to that sin the more we're

under the power of that sin we become

enslaved to sin so when we may use our

freedom to choose sin what we really do

is lessen our freedom we become enslaved

to something other than the good and so

what we have to say about freedom is

that freedom truly attains its

perfection when it's directed towards

God and that's an important concept for

most people most of the time when we

talk about freedom free

simply that the ability to do anything I

want completely unhindered and what we

want to say here though is know the true

understanding of freedom the

understanding of freedom from the

Catholic tradition is that freedom is

the ability to do the good without

hindrance freedom is the ability to

freely choose the good so the more one

does the good the freer one becomes

there's really no true freedom except

into the service of what's good and true

and just and so the choice to disobey

and to do evil is not an exercise of our

freedom get that for a second when we

choose evil it's not a real exercise of

our freedom it's an abuse of freedom and

leads to that slavery of sin we may say

that someone freely chooses sin and

that's true but when we speak about

freedom in that sense we're using it

more in an analogous sense because true

freedom is directed toward something

it's ordered towards something it's

ordered and directed towards the good

using freedom for evil is not a use or

an exercise of freedom it's an abuse

here's an example I was I was thinking

perhaps that this might clarify a bit

when I was growing up every spring we

have to go out and into the yard and use

a rototiller to till up the ground in my

mom's garden and in the flower beds and

so rototiller is one of these machines

it has rotating blades on it and it

turns up the soil so that you can plant

better and that's the proper use that of

a rototiller that's what it's directed

to that's what it's ordered to detailing

up the earth now imagine as I was a

young teenager I took that rototiller

with these rotating blades and took it

into the living room and started

rototilling

the living room carpet it would tear it

up right and my parents walked in so

what are you doing and I said well I'm

rototilling they would say no you're not

right that's not a proper use of a road

that's not what it's directed to that's

not what is ordered to that's an abuse

of a rototiller and it's doing something

destructive it's the same idea with our

free will right our freedom is directed

towards choosing the good it finds its

perfection in choosing the good in using

freedom to choose evil we're not using

our freedom we're not exercising our

freedom in the proper sense we're

abusing our freedom and so we need to

recognize that the call to freedom the

call to choice is not an absolute and it

can't be used to justify sin because

freedom is in service of the true and

the good we're gonna look in our next

video at another one of these concepts

that's very important for Catholic

morality and is also very misunderstood

and we'll talk in the next video about

the idea of the moral conscience so stay

tuned for that