CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE

CHURCH

C AT H O L I C S O C I A L T E A C H I N G S O F T H E C H U RC H

FUNDAMENTAL

PRINCIPLES

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES (CST 160)1.Human Dignity

2.Common Good3.Subsidiarity4.Solidarity

WHY

PRINCIPLES ARE NECESSARY?

Church presents them as the primary and fundamental parameters of reference for interpreting and evaluating social phenomena, which is the necessary source for working out the criteria for the discernment and orientation of social interactions in every area. (CST 161)

PARAMETERS/CRITERIA

All social realities: political, economics, culture, etc.

GUIDE TO YOUR DESTINATION

OR, better yet, a

GUIDEBack HOME

Finally…….

ROADMAP

TO BETTER SOCIETY

Properties

1. permanence in time

2. universality of meaning

Characteristics

162. The principles of the Church's social doctrine must be appreciated in their unity, interrelatedness and articulation.

DignityCommon Good SubsidiaritySolidarity

action

PRINCIPLES OF CST

1. HUMAN DIGNITY

HUMAN DIGNITY

Bed-rock of CSTFoundation of CSTBasis of all rights & dutiesBasis of value and social relations

Defines the real worth/value of the person/individual

SOME ISSUES ON DIGNITY

•Do hardened criminals have dignity also?•Do drug pushers/addicts have dignity also?•Is dignity based on the quality of the action of a person?

HUMAN DIGNITY

SELF-WORTH

SELF-RESPECT

COMMON NOTION OF VALUE/WORTH

ActionSocio-cultural practices/customsSocial class/ statusAchievementGender (straight/not straightRaceReligionNormal/not-normal

HUMAN DIGNITY108. The fundamental message of Sacred Scripture proclaims that the human person is a creature of God (cf. Ps 139:14-18), and sees in his being in the image of God the element that characterizes and distinguishes him…. Therefore, “being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone.

HUMAN DIGNITY

Source of worth/value:

1. Imago dei2. Existence = alive, human

being, person

HUMAN DIGNITY

Based on the two sources (& not on the common notions)

-- Every individual has an inherent and

immeasurable worth or dignity

HUMAN DIGNITY

InviolableEqual to all regardless of . . . .

(Man and woman have the same dignity and are of equal value CST 111)Therefore, life is sacred

HUMAN DIGNITY

Properties of HD (implications of the meaning)1. Unity (a person cannot be

reduced to any of his/her aspect or element or part)

2. Unique (She/he exists as an “I” capable of self-understanding, self-possession and self-determination. (CST 131)

HUMAN DIGNITY

3. Unrepeatable The human person, must always be understood in his unrepeatable and inviolable uniqueness. (CST 131)

4. Transcendental nature (CST 130) open to the infinite and to all

created beings. He is open above all to the infinite — God

open to the fullness of being, to the unlimited horizon of being.

HUMAN DIGNITY

112. … the relationship with God requires that the life of man be considered sacred and inviolable[216].

What is the meaning of the statement:

to Respect human dignity?

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

PRINCIPLES:1. The person represents the

ultimate end of society – the good of the person (CST 132)

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

PRINCIPLES:2. the social order and its development must invariably work to the benefit of the human person CST 132)

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

Hierarchy of importance in progress & Development

1. Order of Persons2. Order of Things

3. Social Order4. Others. . .

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

THEREFORE

TO RESPECT HUMAN DIGNITY, MEANS

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

1 ) to “consider every neighbour without exception as another self, taking into account first of all his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity”[247]. (CST 132)

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

1 ) to “consider every neighbour without exception as another self, taking into account first of all his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity”[247]. (CST 132)

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

2. Every political, economic, social, scientific and cultural programme must be inspired by the awareness of the primacy of each human being over society[248]. (CST 132)

What is the meaning of the statement:

to violate human dignity?

DISCUSSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

HUMAN ACTION

Can we reduce human dignity in the actions (whether positive or negative) of the human person?

SOCIAL FUNCTION OF HD

•Should the dignity of a person be subordinated to the good of the society/majority?

•What guarantees the respect for dignity to a person who is committing an evil act?