Analysis of Key Principles in Catholic Social Thought (UNCC100)

This essay delves into the core principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST), examining how these doctrines address societal issues of oppression and wealth inequality. The essay explores the principles of human dignity, solidarity, and the common good, highlighting their interrelationship and impact on society. It emphasizes the significance of human dignity as the foundation of CST, along with the importance of solidarity, and the common good in fostering a just society. The essay also touches on the Ubuntu philosophy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals within a community. The essay discusses how these principles contribute to a moral vision of society, promoting justice, equality, and the well-being of all individuals. It also explores the role of individuals, families, and the government in upholding these principles and contributing to a more equitable world.

Running head: CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT
Catholic Social Thought
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Catholic Social Thought (CST) is indicative of the Catholic principles that proves to
be useful in addressing the oppression and inequality of wealth within the framework of
society. It helps the people in working on the rational ground that can help in the creation of a
just society. The doctrines can be helpful in finding equilibrium in between human liberty
and concern for the welfare of society (Christie, Gunton and Hejnowicz 2019). This article
discusses about the principle of the human dignity, solidarity and common good prevailing in
the broader society. This article also throws light on interrelationship that exists in between
the self and community in the society.
Principle of Human Dignity is the crux of principles of the Catholic Social Thought.
Materialism has shrouded the world in the present time and it has paved the path for declining
of respect for that of human life. CST principle lays stress on the fact that the life of human
beings are sacred and the maintenance of dignity of a person can set the stage for moral
vision of society (Brady 2017). It can be stated that there is sanctity within human life and
there is dignity inherent in life of the individuals. The principles help in bringing out the fact
that the individuals are born in image of God and all the individuals in the society have been
endowed with the human dignity (Thompson 2015).
Principle of Common Good talks about the fact that global culture in the present time
is consumed by a great deal of individualism. There are various institutions present in the
society that have an impact on element of human dignity. There are forces in the society that
influences capacity of growth of individuals in society. Catholic Church has stated that the
government can help in protecting human life and play an important role in promoting
common good in society. Common good is linked to human dignity and it can help in
creating the way for the solidarity within society (Novak 2017). It is the duty of people in
society to make sacrifices which can be instrumental in helping the disadvantaged people in
society (Thompson 2015). Human beings should bring about changes in the lifestyle and in

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the consumption pattern that can govern the society. The structure pertaining to the civil
society helps in the construction of identity of a person and it can pave the path for the
developing of the human beings. The whole society is responsible for serving common good
and state is responsible for maintaining public order. The people within society possess right
and they have duty of participating in society. The family can be said to be the place where
an individual learns how to become a human and it can create the way for the betterment of
the society (Christie, Gunton and Hejnowicz 2019). The family life acts as the bridge in
between principles of the community and the participation of the individuals in a practical
manner.
Principle of Solidarity states that the human beings can be stated to belong to a single
family that is irrespective of racial and ideological differences. Solidarity states that the
individuals should love the neighbour and it will have repercussions for the broader society
(Brady 2018). It will have implications on the global dimensions in the present era. It can be
instrumental in recognising people as brothers and sisters which can help in achieving the
welfare of the entire human race. Solidarity is indicative of determination that can help a
person in contributing to common good.
Ubuntu is indicative of philosophy that considers the success of the group above that
of individual. It is indicative of African philosophy that can be useful in understanding nature
of the individuals when compared to that of outside world (Rauhut 2017). It can be stated that
there is a bond in between individuals residing in society that helps the people in realization
of personal qualities. It can be useful in the depiction of intrinsic relationship existing in
between individuals of society. An individual who is the believer of Ubuntu acts in a
hospitable way and he is generous towards the other people in the society. An individual
would be able to survive in the present age in the event of believing in Ubuntu that can help
him in achieving a reputable position in society.

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CST principle can understand the relationship which exists in between self and
community. Individual who has dignity in the character can be instrumental in serving greater
purpose in society that can ultimately contribute to common good. The solidarity in between
equal agents can create the way for bringing about common good of the people in the society.
Solidarity in the society should be expressed in relation to economic and religious institutions
that can be of help in shaping society (Christie, Gunton and Hejnowicz 2019). The
participation of individuals within society can be helpful in promoting the common good in
the society. Society harps on element of the individualism but it has been taught by catholic
tradition that the unity in the society can help in the overall development of society
(Fernández and de la Cruz 2019). The individuals in the society in the event of being
endowed with noble quality of dignity can pave the path for common good and can bring
about solidarity within society.
Catholic Social Thought refers to the Catholic doctrines that can rightly be helpful in
addressing the oppression in society. The life of the individuals in the society can be said to
be sacred and individual dignity of the individual can set ground for that of moral vision
within society. The global culture can emerge in the proper manner in the event of
individualism being prevalent within society. Human dignity can increase capacity of
individuals for growing within society that can create the way for a better society. The human
beings belong to a common family irrespective of having individual differences within
society. The individual rights within the society can be helpful in promotion of common
good.

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References
Brady, B.V., 2017. Essential Catholic Social Thought 2nd edition. Orbis Books.
Brady, B.V., 2018. From Catholic Social Thought to Catholic Social Living: A Narrative of
the Tradition. Journal of Catholic Social Thought, 15(2), pp.317-352.
Christie, I., Gunton, R.M. and Hejnowicz, A.P., 2019. Sustainability and the common good:
Catholic social teaching and ‘integral ecology’as contributions to a framework of social
values for sustainability transitions. Sustainability Science, pp.1-12.
Fernández, J.L.F. and de la Cruz, C.D., 2019. Catholic Social Thought and the Economy of
Communion as a Business Model. In Caring Management in the New Economy (pp. 115-
137). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Novak, M., 2017. Catholic social thought and liberal institutions: freedom with justice.
Routledge.
Rauhut, A., 2017. Expanding motivations for global justice: A dialogue between public
Christian social ethics and Ubuntu ethics as Afro-communitarianism. Journal of Global
Ethics, 13(2), pp.138-156.
Thompson, J.M., 2015. Introducing catholic social thought. Orbis Books.