Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society and CST

This essay delves into the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST) and their profound impact on the relationship between the self and the community. It examines nine fundamental principles of CST, including the dignity of the human person, common good, preferential option for the poor, subsid...Read More

Running head: SELF AND COMMUNITY
Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society
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The Principles of Catholic Social Thought
Division of CST is done into nine fundamental principles which make its base. These are
common basic principles of Catholicism which provide an intense explanation of the associations
concerning the purposes of the humanity and the people (Usccb.org, 2017). They are the rich
source of wisdom on which the foundation stone of Catholicism has been put. The 9 themes of
CST are:
Dignity of the Human Person: Every person existing in this world is endowed with a sense of
self-respect and has some human rights which is sacrosanct. Rights are fundamental for the
existence of humanity (Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 2017). These rights
cannot be destroyed neither made in any circumstances. Singular life of a human is awarded with
a principle of self-respect (CST Minor, 2017). It is compulsory for everyone to endorse and
defend the self-esteem of a person and value the privileges of others as it is understood that
degrading the self-respect of one person is same as demeaning the pride of humanity.
Common Good: The insight of common good is infinite as it is made up of characteristics of a
person such as communal, expressive, psychological and mental needs are seen collective to all
people. It is the introduction to the point that societies and individuals living in it can only
flourish if they stay together (Catholic Social Teaching, 2017). It is the mutual accountability of
individuals, cultures and establishments to make struggles to improve the shared welfares,
blossoming and self-respect of groups of people and strive towards common good.
Preferential option for the poor: This opinion creates a wedge between the main importance of
Christian charity and Catholic Social Thought. According to the following thought, poverty is
considered to the bane for humanity and its development and needs to create options which aids

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the existence of the poor in maximum possible way (Ozassignmenthelp.com.au, 2017). By
applying this principle flourishing of a poor and underprivileged person can be achieved which
can collectively improve the condition of the community.
Subsidiarity: It is that principle of Catholic Social Thought that makes closer ties between the
choice creators and the precious public (Digitalcommons.lmu.edu, 2017). Subsidiarity, if the
principle which is recognized for solving the matters cannot be controlled at the lower levels of a
community in order to make decisions in the aspect of society immediately.
Universal Purpose of Goods: This opinion creates the notion that the core resolution of all the
belongings and possessions accessible in the world is to support creation of systems to flourish
and thrive. All individuals existing in the world have equivalent human rights to possess and use
these properties and have access to them by all means possible to flourish (Usccb.org, 2017).
This is reflected as the normal and elementary right of a person which comprises of every right
such as right to permitted trade and right to property etc.
Stewardship of Creation: This code is the appreciation revealed by the humankind for its
derivation and necessity on earth and accountability of a person concerning earth
(Digitalcommons.lmu.edu, 2017). It shapes the position of a person to grow and preserve the
ambiances of its surroundings. This notion states that people are here to preserve the nature not
to own it.
Promotion of Peace: This thought talks about peace as an obligation and an idol. Peace is
founded on integrity of a person, fairness and promise of people concerning common good
(Usccb.org, 2017). There is no peace if any of these factors do not exist.

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Participation: This is a criterion for the belief of subsidiarity. CST comprehends participation
not only as accountability but also as a right. It signifies that any person in any way whatsoever
adds to the communal, administrative, ethnic and monetary duties of the domestic community in
which he lives. To get an idea of this thought as a duty, is the essential value of subsidiarity and
Catholic Social Thought.
Global Solidarity: This is the belief which explains the realizing of duties of individuals
towards each other in spite of any change in topography, race, population, ethos etc. (Greeley &
Rossi, 2013). It relies on the belief of common good and highlights the connection of a universal
culture to its most needy and abandoned members.
Interrelationship between Self and Community
Idea of conjunction between community and self is maintained by the Principles of
Catholic Social Thought (Bryce, Gillies & Kennedy, 2013). It is observed that this notion is
prevalent in people all across the world. It is about the response of a person towards its
community. It is quoted that “I am what I am because who all we are”. Our life and its way is
defined by the community we live in. It figures our character and uniqueness of the self. In the
same way a civilization is known by the kind of individuals living in it. Their mutual conduct
and features of the self, defines the type and kind of society.
Flourishing: To know about the symbiosis of an individual and community one needs to know
about the concept of flourishing. When all needs of an individual such as biological, communal,
mental and emotional are achieved that individual is said to flourish in life. Some great prospects
of flourishing include occupation, alliances and family relationships (Maher, 2013). The
philosophy of Aristotle has taught us that the method to flourish in life is by living an honorable

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life. He has demarcated ethical virtues as the charm of leading a stable life. There should be a
mean between complete luxury and total depravity in life of a person. Flourishing in human
beings is perpetual and pleasure is momentary. Desire and joy are short lived feelings which add
up to complete prosperity of a person and collectively to a society. Flourishing really means to
lead a worthy and expressive life. Its implication becomes extraordinary when it comes to
association between self and community as flourishing becomes contingent on the factor that
means the most to a human.
Human being as a social animal: People are socially oriented and have an inclination towards
living in a society. This thought is applied by Aristotle and Ubuntu in their philosophies.
Aristotle figures about people as “by nature a social animal” and Zulu tribe of Africa establishes
that “a person is a person through other persons”. Humanity is said to exist due to the existence
of society. It is the association of an individual with its groups which makes it human (Horning,
2013). Mutual prosperity best explains the correlation between communities with the self. It is
imperative that a person can only succeed when the society in which he lives flourishes.
Principles of Catholic Social Thought which supports community and self:
CST provisions, strengthens, nurtures and provides a structure to the way of living of an
individual. It is the wellbeing and the power of the connection of self and community which
allows it to flourish. There is a formation of ethical background with the philosophies of Catholic
Social Thought such as dignity of human, common good, promotion of peace and solidarity
(Bryce, Gillies & Kennedy, 2013). Through these principles the interpersonal associations are
established in a community by the self. It is determined by a core golden rule which is how a self
wants to be treated by the others. Since every person is dependent on others to fulfill its needs in
a society these principles make it happen. Seeing other people flourish the marginalized and

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impoverished people also tend to make their way to a valued and flourishing life (Greeley &
Rossi, 2013). Other people guide them and uplift them by following these principles which is
shown in the preferential option of the poor. Human is a part and also an extension to the society
which needs to flourish in order for the society to develop.

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Reference
Bryce, T., Humes, W., Gillies, D., & Kennedy, A. (2013). Scottish Education.: Referendum.
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. (2017). Catholic Charities of St. Paul and
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2017, from http://www.cctwincities.org
Catholic Social Teaching. (2017). Community & Participation. Catholic Social Teaching.
Retrieved 11 September 2017, from
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CST Minor, M. (2017). Principles of Catholic Social Thought // CST Minor // University of
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http://cstminor.nd.edu/resources-list/catholic-social-tradition/
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Publishers.
Horning, C. N. (2013). The intersection of religious charter schools and urban Catholic
education: A literature review. Journal of Catholic Education, 16(2), 364.
Maher, M. J. (2013). Some background on addressing the topic of homosexuality in Catholic
education. Journal of Catholic Education, 6(4), 8.

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