Freedom, Responsibility, and Moral Norms: A Philosophical View

Freedom and Human Nature

Humans, though possessing instincts, are not determined by nature. Thanks to our rational capacity, we can choose among a number of possibilities. This capability is known as freedom.

However, certain factors in our behavior do not depend on us. No one chooses their birthplace, gender, or skin color. These are given to us and constitute what Ortega y Gasset called circumstances.

To be free means to be responsible for our actions and accept the consequences of our behavior. Responsibility involves attributing success to our work and accepting failures or errors. If we make a mistake, we must rectify it and accept the punishment.

Moral Norms

A norm is a pattern that governs our behavior, a rule about how we should act. For example, stopping at a stop sign or respecting the turn in a queue. Every society has rules to maintain social order, such as laws, social norms, and traffic rules.

A moral norm expresses a command involving a moral value. For example, many societies consider justice a moral value because it allows equality. A rule that seeks to strengthen justice tells us what we must do to be fair and not discriminate. Moral norms indicate how we should act so that our behavior is considered good.

Moral norms legitimize moral values. Values set objectives for society, and rules ensure these objectives are met. If an action meets the norm, it is classified as moral; if not, it is immoral.

Types of Norms

• Religious norms: Made by God for believers. Breaking them leads to a sense of sin.
• Legal norms: Made by law for all community members. Breaking them leads to legal consequences.
• Social norms: Created by society for its members. Breaking them leads to shame and accountability to society.
• Moral norms: Created by oneself. Breaking them leads to remorse. These rules should be obeyed by all human beings.