Freedom of the Will

1. Freedom of the Will

• “…freedom of the power of choice has a character entirely peculiar
to it, that it cannot be determined to an action through any
incentive except so far as the human being has incorporated it into his
maxim…” – Immanuel Kant
• According to Hume, the actions are connected with inclinations,
motives, and circumstances and people follow them considering the
consequences (Hume, David p.47).
• The philosophers share the common position that a human has a will
and a right to choose. Moreover, they state that necessity is a force of
human actions and some events that are a part of the natural world. In
that way, humans are free.

2. To what extent should we subjectively consider individual circumstances when determining the moral value of an ethical decision?

• It is obvious that people are different and their actions are usually
caused by numerous reasons and depend on various circumstances
• At the same time, there are the certain definitions of ethics and
morality, which means that everything out of it is immoral or unethical
• However, people have a right to evaluate and make the assessments of
the circumstances they are in. In other words, the final deed, action, or
event may be explained by the initial aspiration or motive, which is
still in frames of morality
• In that way, the individual circumstances should be considered while
evaluating the moral value of an ethical decision

3. The possible opposite opinion

• According to “RERUM NOVARUM. ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO
XIII ON CAPITAL AND LABOR,” the moral is certain rule and a
noble person shall follow it.
• Moreover, he states “that a high standard of morality should prevail,
both in public and private life.” It means that there are no individual
circumstances and there is a common moral rule for everyone.
Are there any other possible opposing opinions concerning the ethical
decisions?
Could there be found a compromise between the opinions of
philosophers and the Pope Leo XIII?

4. References

• Hume, David, and Tom L Beauchamp. An Enquiry Concerning Human
Understanding. 1st ed., Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1999, p.47
• "Rerum Novarum (May 15, 1891) | LEO XIII". W2.Vatican.Va, 2017,
http://w2.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_lxiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html.
• Wood, Allen, and George Di Giovanni. Kant: "Religion Within The
Boundaries Of Mere Reason". 1st ed., Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 1998,p.84