Catholic Social Thought Principles: Self and Community Connection

This essay delves into the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to illustrate the intricate relationship between the individual ('self') and the community. It highlights key CST principles such as the Common Good, Human Dignity, Subsidiarity, Preferential Option for the Poor, and Global Solidarity, explaining how these principles emphasize the interconnectedness and mutual responsibility between individuals and their communities. The essay also draws parallels with concepts like Ubuntu and the Golden Rule to further emphasize the importance of reciprocal relationships and shared well-being. Ultimately, the essay argues that understanding and applying these principles can lead to human flourishing by fostering a society where individual and communal needs are met in harmony. Desklib provides access to similar essays and study resources for students.

Running head: CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT PRINCIPLES
CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT PRINCIPLES
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Catholic Social Thought helps establish connection between the ‘Self’ and ‘Community’
Today’s generation has access to all information in the world and yet, clashes and
conflicts occur frequently between individuals and communities. A major problem, governments
and other powerful institutions are yet to realize the root cause of this problem. The Catholic
Social Teaching could be a viable solution for this problem. Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
symbolizes a developing custom, which includes social truth, ethical principles and appliance of
these to present situations (Novak, 2017). Human dignity is at the peak of this teaching along
with eight other principles that must govern human life. Learning, understanding, acknowledging
and applying these principles could help individuals lead a better life and develop the community
as well. These principles contribute largely towards understanding the concept of ‘self’ and the
‘community’ and the interrelationship between the two. The nine principles of CST include the
Common Good, Human Dignity, Subsidiarity, and Preferential Option for the Poor,
Participation, the Promotion of Peace, the Stewardship of Creation, Universal Purpose of Goods
and Global Solidarity. Amongst these, five principles are enough to understand the
interrelationship between the self and community (Loyno.edu, 2018). The five principles chosen
for explanation are the Common Good, Human Dignity, Subsidiarity, Global Solidarity and
Promotion of Peace.
The Common Good is the first and foremost principle of CST that is defined as the
summation of social conditions that enable people – in groups or as individuals – to fulfill their
needs and wants “more fully and easily” (Engelland, 2014). Although the political leaders have
the duty and responsibility to ensure Common Good for its citizens, the individuals are also
equally responsible. As Pope Benedict himself proclaims, “The more we strive to secure a
common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbors, the more effectively we love

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them” (Loyno.edu, 2018). He further states, “Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in
a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the
polis (city)”. Here, it is clearly understood that both self and community are interrelated and
without the support of one, the other cannot progress.
The next principle of CST is Human Dignity according to which, for a society to become
just, its members must respect the “transcendent dignity of the human person”. As per Genesis
1:26 proclamation, human beings were created “in the image and likeness of God” and hence, it
is the duty of every human to remember this and work according to it (Biblegateway.com, 2018).
The rights including the right to life, development and empowerment are the chief
accomplishments of the principle.
According to the principle of Subsidiarity, the higher-level people must protect the
interests of the underprivileged, social authorities must help individuals and intermediary groups
carry out their duties. Subsidiarity is an effective principle largely governing the present state of
affairs where the larger authority distributes or subsidizes responsibilities of uplifting the weak
class to smaller authorities. The principle is significant in realizing the interconnectedness
between self and community. Each person, family and other intermediate group has something
credible and significant to give to the community.
Preferential Option for the Poor is the principle that dictates the poor class, which now
includes widows, strangers, orphans, and the poor must be protected. All these groups go through
evil treatments like oppression, poverty, exclusion and powerlessness. It is thus important for
individuals and the community to give preferential love to the poor to be closer to the God
because gave life to people as stewards who share goodness and not owners.

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Global Solidarity is the principle that refers to equality of, dignity and respect for all
irrespective of countries, communities or cultures. Following this principle would ensure that the
inequalities that abound in today’s world between developed and developing nations due to
corruption and exploitation are mitigated. The persons and peoples must accelerate
interdependence between each other accompanied by intense efforts to ensure that this principle
is followed.
As evident from the discussion above, the five principles of CST explain the
interrelationship between the self and the community. It could further be explained through the
concepts of Ubuntu and the Golden Rule. Ubuntu, an African concept has been instrumental in
establishing the relationship between the self and community. According to this concept, the self
becomes what he or she is from the influence of what all other persons are within the
community. “I am what I am, because who we are”, is the meaning of Ubuntu (Acu.edu.au,
2018). This concept is in line with the principles of CST that have been mentioned above.
Clearly, this concept provides the foundations from which, individuals and the community could
work together towards the common goal for achieving the principles of CST. Ubuntu helps
alleviate thoughts of envy and jealousy amongst people and gives them the opportunity to rejoice
the success and progress of others.

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The Golden Rule, similar to Ubuntu, dictates the way human beings should be treated. It
says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Ellis, 2017). The meaning is clear;
human beings should treat others the way they expect themselves to be treated by others.
Therefore, if they want to lead a happy life in a just society, they must ensure happiness for
others as well. The Golden Rule hence, also aligns itself with the principles of CST. It also
establishes a close connection between the self and the community.
When the interrelationship between the self and the community is realized, humans will
flourish. Flourishing could be regarded as the highest “good of human endeavors and that toward
which all actions aim” (Lewis et al., 2013). As Aristotle – the one who introduced the concept of
human flourishing – states, “Human flourishing is success as a human being”, “The best life is
one of excellent human activity” (Music, 2014). The CST principles are the best human activities
that must be performed to achieve Eudaimonia or human flourishing. It is thus clear that the self
and community are inseparable concepts.

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References:
Acu.edu.au. (2018). Self and Community: Exploring the anatomy of modern society - ACU
(Australian Catholic University). Retrieved from
http://www.acu.edu.au/about_acu/our_university/the_core/core_units/
self_and_community
Biblegateway.com. (2018). Bible Gateway passage: Genesis 1:26 - New International Version.
Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Genesis+1%3A26&version=NIV
Ellis, R. J. (2017). The Golden Rule. Rural Theology, 15(1), 52-53.
Engelland, B. T. (2014). Religion, humanism, marketing, and the consumption of socially
responsible products, services, and ideas: Introduction to a special topic section. Journal
of Business Research, 67(2), 1-4.
Lewis, G. J., Kanai, R., Rees, G., & Bates, T. C. (2013). Neural correlates of the ‘good life’:
Eudaimonic well-being is associated with insular cortex volume. Social cognitive and
affective neuroscience, 9(5), 615-618.
Loyno.edu. (2018). Catholic Social Thought | Jesuit Social Research Institute | Loyola University
New Orleans. Retrieved from http://www.loyno.edu/jsri/catholic-social-thought
Music, G. (2014). The good life: Wellbeing and the new science of altruism, selfishness and
immorality. Routledge.
Novak, M. (2017). Catholic Social Thought and Liberal Institutions: Freedom with Justice.
Routledge.