Describe Coherently in Writing the Principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST) (Term Paper Sample)

Describe Coherently in Writing the Principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST)
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Describe Coherently in Writing the Principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST)
Catholic social thought is a vast body of thought that emanates from the Catholic Church. In general, Catholic Social Thought seeks to address the difficult situations that human beings encounter while on the face of the earth. Catholic Social Thought holds the vision of the world that is primarily grounded in the value of human dignity. Of all human activities, the Catholic Social Thought places a lot of importance on human dignity and the interconnectedness in all sectors of life. The thought also acknowledges the diverse situations that all people live in more so in cases dictated by injustices and forms of oppression which are rather conceptualized as the operative norm. As a result of these stressful situations, the Catholic Social Thought offers a set of principles that they believe may transform the world by improving peace, justice and freedom for all. The aim of this discussion, therefore, is to describe the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST).
Dignity of the Human Resource
The Catholic Church holds that human life is sacred and that the dignity of people is founded on the moral vision of society. The perception that human beings are created in God's image and thus are a reflection of God himself entitles all human beings to basic dignity. Any human actions do not ascertain such dignity, but it is inherent by the virtue of being a part of the creation. According to Domenec (2005), human dignity has no connection with one's race, gender, religion, age, physical ability or economic status. It is rather an inalienable right that human beings have by the fact of human nature. Consequently, there is nothing that people can do to earn or lose their dignity. Nevertheless, according to Catholic Social Thought, human beings can only achieve their full dignity in the community through collaborating with others (Diocese of St.Paul Minneapolis, 2004). One's dignity is justifiable through how they are treated by others, by the community and the society at large. The Catholic Social Though on the principal of human dignity also insists that a person is not only constituted by his/her individual dignity but also by his/her actions towards others.
Despite the Catholic Social Thought on human dignity, the world today is facing the challenge where this very dignity has been taken for granted. In the modern day, human dignity is under significant threat due to the increased cases of abortion, inequality, and euthanasia, the passage of capital punishment and human cloning. Similarly, there have emerged oppressive structures and institutions that perpetuate inequality by favoring and disfavoring particular gender, race, class or religion (Theos & Tearfund, 2010).
The Principle of Common Good and Community
The concept of the common good is conceptualized as the totality of all conditions necessary for the survival of human beings that fosters the growth and continuity of a community. These include conditions may be; cultural, political, economic or material. The Catholic Social Thought implies that human beings have been created to make sense of life in the community and that each person requires the help of other individuals and the society so as to live a meaningful life (Ron, 2014). The argument here is that a single person is inadequate to live by him or herself and flourish in life. There must be good social co-existence within the society if each has to develop and grow. The Catholic Social Thought thus advocates for individual participation in promoting the common good. The participation entails contribution of services, talents, material things and personal goods for the wellbeing of the community (Rowards, 2015).
Universal Purpose of Goods
According to CST all the goods on earth are for use by all. That is, the goods ought to be shared by all. It also maintains that people have a right to own property privately but again, accumulating excess wealth by oneself is not morally right. Everyone in the society has a right to access goods in order to flourish (Rowards, 2015).
Subsidiary
The principle of subsidiary seeks to promote the plurality of power within the society rather than having power concentrated in one place. The principle argues that the protection of human rights requires the collaboration of the large structures with the smaller structures. That is, the government or authoritative structures should seek to support the communities and individual initiatives instead of destroying them. The CST therefore, promotes both human institutions and associations across the local, national and international levels. However, the subsidiary is sometimes challenged by the inadequacy of the local structures to protect human rights thus necessitating the intervention of the larger structures (Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, 2016).
Global Solidarity
Global solidarity is the call for recognition of all individuals as part and parcel of human family without regard for their gender, race, and religion, political or ideological differences. Again, this principle points out to the inherent human dignity due to a common origin which is the creation. People have been called to respect and regard to each other with dignity. Solidarity sees the injustices committed to another fellow human being as a crime committed against oneself (D’Olimpio, 2014).
However, with the ever-changing world diversities, this principle continues falling apart as people continue to disregard the need for solidarity. Solidarity has been overcome by the heightened individualism, ethnicity, racism and less value for human dignity. It explains why there are increased cases of extremism across the world and persecution of believers among other social evils.
Stewardship of Creation
God created all people who comprise the most critical of God's creation. After creation, God commanded man to take care of the creation. Therefore, human beings are regarded as co-workers since they continue to work on and develop that which was created by God. The human being continuity of creation is what is referred to as stewardship of creation. The CST definition of stewardship is the moral challenges that call all people to assess how they use and share the goods on earth, how they are passed on to other generations as well as how people co-exist in harmony with God's creation. The principle thus urges all people to act responsibly towards God's creation and one another (Manuel, 1992).
Promotion of Peace
The Catholic teaching advocates for peace in all aspects of human living. Peace does not necessarily mean the absence of war but also encompasses mutual respect between people and nations. Where there is peace, there must be collaboration, cooperation, and binding agreements. The Catholic teaching does not teach about peace in the absence of justice (Rowards, 2015). Thes...