The Principles of Catholic Social Thought PDF

Preview

Summary

Download The Principles of Catholic Social Thought PDF

Description

The Principles of Catholic Social Thought

Catholic Social Thought Catholic Social Teachings come from the gospels and the words of Christ, as well as pastoral letters from the Popes and Bishops (Trocaire, 2014). Catholic Social Thought (CST) is originated from past Catholic Social Teachings and has been developed for the everyday practice of modern society (Australian Catholic University [ACU], 2018, section 3.1.1). The nine CST principles all contribute to the flourishing of self and community for the Common Good to help build a just society.

The four principles of Catholic Social Thought chosen for discussion are; 1. Dignity of the human person 2. The Common Good 3. Preferential Option for the Poor 4. Subsidiarity

Dignity of the human person The dignity of the human encompasses the sacredness of life of each individual and ensures that everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, especially the disadvantaged and marginalised (Australian Catholic Social Justice Council [ACSJC], 2018). The dignity of a person cannot be diminished, regardless of age, gender, race or social class. If the marginalised don’t have access to their basic life necessities and their dignity is not upheld, then the dignity of the community cannot be upheld either. (ACU, 2018, section 3.1.2)

Preferential option for the poor Preferential option for the poor is seen as more than just charity; it is a moral test to see how members of society treat the most vulnerable. This principle involves seeing the world from the marginalised point of view and how to create a society that is inclusive and provides them their basic needs for survival (ACU, 2018, section 3.2.1). This principle focuses on the ‘needs’ of the most vulnerable in society and prioritises them over the ‘wants’ of others. It does not exclude anybody, instead includes and prioritises the marginalised to ensure flourishing in the community.

The Common Good The Common Good ensures the dignity of individuals is maintained, their needs are met, and their rights are respected in order for them to flourish. This covers all aspects such as physical, mental, spirituality and humanity. “Working towards the Common Good is the responsibility of each citizen as well as all the institutions that are created to order a society” (ACU, 2018, section 3.2.3). The Common Good can be described as the hub of a wheel and also one of the spokes surround the hub with the inclusion of the other eight principles (ACU, 2018). This analogy shows how the principles work together to achieve the ideology of the Common Good and ensure flourishing for all individuals and the community. All humans have the right to contribute to society. The human dignity and growth is directly affected by how society is arranged. If anyone is treated unfairly and denied of their values and rights to flourish, then the Common Good cannot be achieved (ACU, 2018, section 5.3.1).

Subsidiarity Subsidiarity upholds the dignity and rights of the individuals in society. Decisions should be made at the closest possible level to those being affected by them. Those in the

community being affected should also be included in the decision-making or consulted. This empowers individuals and ensure participation within society, without the interference of higher authority. Subsidiarity promotes flourishing in the community as it empowers individuals to speak up and get involved in issues affecting them. “Power is localised, not centralised” (ACU, 2018, section 3.3). Higher authority will only intervene if the individuals in the community needs can’t be met. The localised group will still have to be in support of the higher authority’s decisions affecting them.

Relationship of self and community The relationship between self and community revolves around the importance of human flourishing, which is what the nine CST principles aim to achieve. The human being is a social creature and their role in society is integral for their own needs, but more importantly for the community. (ACU, 2018, section 2.3.2). Concepts such as Ubuntu, the Golden Rule and the Good Life best describe what human flourishing is in the world.

Flourishing The nine CST’s are focused on the connectedness between self and community. Humans can only flourish through our connectedness with community; but what is flourishing? Ancient philosopher Aristotle stated that in order to live a good life, humans should seek to ‘live virtuously’ (ACU, 2018, section 4.1.2). To live virtuously can be seen as to seeking ‘Eudaimonia’. Eudaimonia can sometimes be translated to ‘flourishing’. Stephen King states that it’s what all humans want and “it’s the thing people seek for its own sake” (BBC Radio 4, 2015). Living a Eudemonistic life will always ensure “…that you’ve always pushed yourself to the very best you could be” (CrashCourse, 2016). A good life can be seen as feeling joy knowing that we as humans have contributed positively to the world.

Therefore, human self-flourishing is determined by the flourishing of others in the community.

Ubuntu Ubuntu is a word originated from the African culture meaning "I am who I am because of who we all are" (ACU, 2018, section 1.4.4). Ubuntu states that all human beings are part of one big family and everyone’s contribution to the community can influence the world in a positive way. Humans cannot function on their own and thrive being connected within a community. We are all connected and what we do in life affects our community around us and this contributes either positively or negatively to the flourishing of others (ACU, 2018, section 2.2.1).

The Golden Rule and The Good Life The Golden Rule is also known as the “Ethnic of Reciprocity” and is seen as the universal ethical principle (ACU, 2018, section 1.3.2). The Golden Rule is to treat others the way you would like to be treated. The Golden Rule is looking past the interest of one’s self and focusing on the interests of the community. Aristotle stated that humans are social beings and their community must flourish in order for themselves to flourish (ACU, 2018, section 1.4.2). It encompasses an individual to set aside their own needs and working as a community by prioritising the concept of the Common Good to ensure the flourishing of others.

The nine principles of CST provide an ideal way of life that will ensure the flourishing of one’s self and the community. Concepts such as the Golden Rule, Ubuntu and the Good Life all contribute to the flourishing of self and the community. If the principles of

CST are followed correctly, hence the ideology of the Common Good will be achieved for the just of building a better society; present and future.

Reference List

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council [ACSJC]. (2018). Social Teaching. Retrieved from http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/social-teaching

Australian Catholic University. (2018) 1.3.2 What is the Golden Rule? UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295402

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 1.4.2 What do you think constitutes the Good Life? UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295402

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 1.4.4 Ubuntu. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295402

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 2.2.1 Further reflection on the Ubuntu. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php? id=2295403

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 2.3.2 Catholic Social Thought and the individual. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295403

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 3.1.1 Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Social Thought. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from

https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/8e8cfd0c-0c07-4862-92c1118b46d203d4/20/pdf/M3-HistoryAndPrinciplesCST.pdf

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 3.1.2 The Dignity of the Human Person. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php? id=2295405

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 3.2.1 Further reflection on The Common Good. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295405

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 3.2.3 The Common Good is the responsibility of each person as well as institutions. [UNCC100 Course Material]. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295405

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 3.3 What is Subsidiarity? UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295405

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 4.1.2 Human Flourishing. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php?id=2295406

Australian Catholic University. (2018). 5.3.1 Choosing the Common Good. UNCC100 Course Materials. Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/equella/view.php? id=2295407

BBC Radio 4 (2015). Aristotle on ‘Flourishing’. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&v=j_7deR0idvs

CrashCourse (2016). Aristotle & Virtue Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #38. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrvtOWEXDIQ

Trocaire (2014). Catholic Social Teaching in 3 Minutes. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyLdMlFdzA...