Quest For Freedom

In the Catholic Peace Weekly Philosophy Chat column, a Jesuit professor of philosophy gives us some background on humans' quest for freedom. 

Humans constantly yearn for freedom. This proves that on the one hand, humans are free beings, but at the same time, they are unfree. Philosophically, the two beliefs that dominate the spiritual world, namely the natural scientific belief that the world is under the law of inevitable causality and the theological belief that the world is under the absolute foresight of God, have long been the background for the metaphysical question of ‘Can humans really be free?’

However, freedom is the fundamental concept for human self-understanding and self-realization, and without freedom, human life is also unthinkable. As spiritual beings, humans are free by nature and realize themselves in the world through free actions. 

Emerich Coreth, SJ, was an Austrian philosopher and 

Catholic priest. He is well known for his works on 

metaphysics and philosophical anthropology. 

All 

humans are inherently open to the realm of 

freedom, which is called ‘fundamental freedom.’

Philosophical anthropologists in the early 20th century conceived fundamental freedom as an insight that aligns with humans' essential characteristic, ‘openness to the world.’ According to this, humans, unlike animals, are not bound by the environment and impulses or the immediacy of nature but instead have their own world through it. Humans open the world and are open to the world based on fundamental freedom.

The ancient Greek words for freedom include ‘eleutheria’, ‘parrhesia’, and ‘autarkeia’. ‘Eleutheria’ means ‘freedom of action,’ which means the freedom to practice what I consider right and not being forced by the rules and expectations created by others. ‘Parresia’ refers to ‘freedom of discourse’ that allows one to honestly express one’s thoughts in front of others, and ‘Autarkheia’ refers to ‘inner freedom’ that represents the nobility and dignity of a human being, meaning self-government and autonomy.

This concept has been used in various fields with multiple meanings, such as physical freedom, legal and political freedom, social freedom, psychological freedom, and ethical freedom. In particular, as ancient Stoic and Epicurean philosophers pursued true freedom through ‘Apatheia’ and ‘Ataraxia’, meaning ‘peace of mind and heart,’ freedom is very important for practical life beyond the theoretical level, and above all, for mental health and healing. 

Philosophical counseling invites people to find freedom even in unfree conditions for mental health, mental stability, and pain relief. Freedom is a fundamental principle and an indispensable condition of human existence, and it is a decisive force that allows humans to free themselves from the internal bondages that torment them.

To do this, ‘inner freedom’ that controls oneself and leads to self-determination, free from external pressure and control, is required above all. This is possible when one realizes existential freedom through self-determination in a fundamentally open world, free from material and sensory constraints.

Existential freedom means being open to absolute truth or the totality of meaning. Accordingly, Jaspers (1883-1969) defined existential freedom as ‘the activity of the will to think about the source’ where humans meet the transcendent, which resolves internal compulsion, conflict, and self-deception. Self-awareness is the source of freedom and happiness, which can liberate oneself from the internal constraints that bind oneself and move toward self-healing.

Reception of Gifts of 'the Spirit

 

The Catholic Times, in one of its articles, explains what is done in many parishes in Korea and possibly in other parts of the Catholic world on Pentecost Sunday.

Many parishes, when they come up for the collection during Mass on Pentecost, pick up a prepared cutout of a dove that has one of the seven gifts of the Spirit printed on it. This is a teaching moment - an interesting way to spend time reflecting on one of the gifts we've received.

Just as the apostles received abundant grace from the Holy Spirit and were sent out into the world, we are reminded of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and encouraged to enrich our lives by reflecting on the gifts. What do the gifts of the Holy Spirit mean? 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are seven graces that the Holy Spirit bestows for the sanctification of individuals and communities.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the Book of Isaiah (11:2-3). They were not limited to a certain number from the beginning. Later, the Latin Church Fathers identified the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The gifts are received specifically through the sacrament of Confirmation, but are not limited to that occasion: ▲Wisdom ▲ Understanding ▲ Counsel ▲ Knowledge  ▲ Courage  ▲ Piety ▲ Fear of God.

Wisdom is a gift that helps us see things from God’s perspective. Helps us discern God's will and live in a way that pleases him.

Understanding helps us to grasp the truth more deeply and appreciate its deeper meaning in our lives. 

Counsel helps us make wise decisions by seeking counsel from others and giving it to others.

Knowledge helps us understand God's creation and the world around us, enabling us to appreciate God's wisdom and power.

Fortitude, moral strength, and courage, to persevere in the face of failure and stand firm in the face of adversity.

Piety is the gift that enables us to love God as His children and to love all His children. It enables us to forgive and truly love our neighbors. 

Fear of the Lord is awe, reverence, and respect for God, acknowledging that all comes from God. 

These are gifts, but it's necessary to remember that what is received as a gift, how something is understood, or experienced, is always filtered through the individual's existing beliefs, knowledge, and experiences. What's given is not received objectively, but rather shaped by the receiver's internal state—not in the manner of the one giving but in the manner of the one receiving.