Personal Identity, Freedom, and Responsibility: A Moral Inquiry
Personal Identity, Freedom, and Responsibility
The Person as a Moral Subject
Ortega y Gasset emphasizes the rational nature of human beings as moral persons. Our inherent moral motivation stems from a natural inclination towards happiness and fulfillment. As moral subjects, we shape ourselves through ethical choices. Like Aristotle and St. Thomas, Ortega y Gasset believes the ultimate goal in life is to achieve what is best. The wise and morally sound person strives to do good, regardless of fortune. Achieving psychological balance is crucial.
We face diverse existential choices—different races, occupations, sports, etc.—and find ourselves drawn to some more than others. We choose our life projects based on our capabilities. Ideals, values, beliefs, and aspirations serve as role models for our behavior. Recognizing the dignity and equality of all people fosters positive human and social relations. This includes pursuing peace, sustainable ecological development, accountability, honesty, and respect for human rights while rejecting violence.
Javier Sadaba suggests that even altruistic behavior can stem from a desire for personal satisfaction. Morality must be universal; what is valid for one person is valid for all. We should not kill anyone, as it violates the inalienable dignity of persons. As moral subjects within a society, we adhere to a code of moral behavior shaped by our socio-cultural system and emotions. David Hume argues that the goodness or badness of an act lies in the approval or disapproval of others. As moral subjects, we possess the unique capacity to choose the most appropriate and correct path for personal development.
The Ethical Response to Human Questions
Javier Sadaba believes the state should promote social and economic assets and civic models of good social life based on respect and responsibility. Moral subjects must practice virtues to live responsibly, honestly, and happily. For Zubiri, virtues represent the desire to achieve what we want. Aristotle defined virtue as hexis, a disposition governed by rational prudence (logos). Medieval scholasticism identifies four cardinal virtues: justice, prudence, fortitude, and temperance.
Since the beginning of moral reflection, ethics has sought to answer fundamental human questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? Epicurus believed philosophy’s purpose is to guide us towards a happy life through self-knowledge (Socrates). The Stoics believed happiness comes from doing good and acting virtuously. Aristotle believed happiness is achieved through practicing ethical virtues and developing good habits. Thomas Aquinas viewed love as the human tendency towards moral good, essential for happiness. This love encompasses love for oneself, others, and God. Love, distinct from selfishness, represents our best qualities, including the pursuit of happiness, perfection, and the well-being of others.
Eighteenth-century Enlightenment thinkers emphasized self-love and the pursuit of happiness alongside benevolence and universal philanthropy. Nietzsche questioned these notions. Existentialists like Sartre believe humans are beings oriented towards death, finding fleeting moments of happiness and pleasure. Spinoza viewed happiness as a relative and evanescent present.
Ethical Considerations
- The importance of personal responsibility in ethical decision-making.
- The role of societal and cultural influences on moral behavior.
- The pursuit of happiness and its relationship to virtue and moral good.
- The tension between self-interest and altruism.
- The challenge of finding meaning and purpose in a world of diverse perspectives.