CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT

Catholic Social Thought has significantly influenced the way in which societies have become
more peaceful and compassionate. This is a result of practicing the principles of the Catholic
Social Thought as it provides a vision of an ideal society flourishing together. Key themes of
the Catholic Social Thought include: The common good, human dignity, subsidiarity and
solidarity.

4 PRINCIPLES OF THE CST

The Common Good:

The Common Good refers to the sacrificing of self-interest so that the needs of every
human being is being met, regardless of their wealth, power and education. By
connecting with other people, it will allow the whole community to flourish in all
different dimensions, whether it be intellectual, physical or spiritual. It is not just
about “meeting everyone’s material needs, but also meeting relational and other
needs that are fundamental to human existence as unique individuals who live in
community” (ACU, 2017, section. 3.22).

Figure 1: The Common Good (Caritas Australia, 2019).

Dignity of a Human person:

Human lives are very sacred and the dignity of an individual is the foundation of a moral
and ethical vision of society. This prime principle refers to the value and rights of a
human person and the idea that every individual is made in the image of God.
 Regardless of the person’s race, social class and wealth, age and ability they are
invaluable and worthy of respect and their dignity will not diminish (ACU, 2017,
section. 3.1.2). Respect is not earned by what we do or have, our dignity is
established simply by being human. This is one of the most important principles of
the Catholic Social Teaching as it grants everyone political, legal, social and
economic rights. Even those who are living their lives in extreme poverty and
injustice should be allowed to live a life equal to their dignity.

Subsidiarity:

Subsidiarity is another core principle of the Catholic Social Teaching. It allows and gives
the right for all the individuals that are in the community or organisation to
participate in decision making processes that affect their lives. If decision making
is delegated and promoted it will allow authentic freedom, human dignity, and
empower those involved and affected. This fosters life without unwarranted
interference within the social group. However, these responsibilities can not be
carried out and we can not promote the common good without the help of the
government as society is too extensive and complex. Therefore, given the principle
of subsidiarity, the government should perform all tasks at the lowest level possible
and adequately. If they are unable to, help should be provided by a higher level of
government.

Figure 2: Subsidiarity and Participation (Caritas Australia, 2019).

Global solidarity

Solidarity refers to all human beings valuing and respecting one another for who they are
as individuals. Individuals are not able to live their life well independently because
everyone is social by nature and depend on each other. It is act of standing in unity
with one another and recognising their rights, especially those who do not have
power or are disadvantaged. All humans are in one family and creating a
community that empowers all individuals to achieve their full potential through
everyone respecting one another dignity and rights results to a better world to live
in (ACU, 2017, section. 3.4.4). Thus, why we are all responsible for each other. The
Gospel calls us to all be peacemakers, which is why we must promote peace in
the world. An example of solidarity is donating or volunteering to help people that
are disadvantaged or in need. By doing this, we are confirming that we are apart of
one human family.

INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF AND COMMUNITY

Although the principles of the Social Catholic Thought mentioned above morally and
ethically guide individuals through life, they must also adopt and incorporate other ideas
including The Golden Rule, Ubuntu and the idea of human flourishing in the context of
being ‘social animals’. Self and community are dependant on each other through these
themes and the principles of the CST including the Common Good, Subsidiarity, solidarity
and human dignity.
The Golden Rule

Figure 4: Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Social Thought (ACU, 2017).

The Golden Rule, also known as the ‘law of reciprocity’ is a basic principle of treating
others as how you want to be treated. It features a community with equity where every
human being is able to experience equality. Subsidiarity, common good and Human
dignity relate to this rule and also show how self and the community depend on each
other. Society has become so distracted by their individual pursuits of happiness that
other individuals with greater needs are neglected (ACU, 2017, section 1.3.2). By
changing our attitude and the way we treat the poor and the people in need, we will be
respecting their human dignity and also influence and encourage others in the community
to do the same. Subsidiarity requires the promotion of human dignity, the building of the
common good, protection of human rights and the participation of individuals. This will
assist people to fulfil their responsibility and role to everyone in society so that the whole
community can flourish. Therefore, no one in society should oppress anyone else
because of their economic status. All human beings in the community are important for
society and individual relationships are what build up the society.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu means "I am what i am because of who we all are” (ACU, 2017, section. 2.1) It
articulates the connection between self and community, where by human beings cannot
live on their own and must interact with others and be involved with the flourishing of the
community. Global solidarity and human dignity relate to concepts of Ubuntu. In reference
to Ubuntu, all individuals are social human beings that flourish by forming relationships
with one another. Thus, why individuals must respect each others dignity and maintain it
at a larger community level where everyone works together to protect one another’s rights
(solidarity) as we are all apart of one human family. Self and community is interrelated in
this matter as the individual must not be self centred and also realise others people's
needs so that one’s self and the community can influence each other mutually.

Figure 5: Africa, a history to rediscover. 10 – The Ubuntu philosophy ( Mufila, 2018)

Human Flourishing- Social Animals

Human beings live in groups and use this power to evolve as a social animal. This is
evident within the theories and principles including the Catholic Social thought and
Ubuntu where it is shown that all individuals are social by nature and they live in an
interrelationship with nature and the community (ACU, 2017, section. 2.3). Through this, it
is evident that an individual's personal decision affects everyone around them which is
why self and community are dependant on each other. Everyone seeks to live a good life,
not just by themselves but with other people. This idea of mutual flourishing comes from
the common good, which can only be fulfilled through the relationships with others.

Ultimately, the principles of the CST guides all individuals to thrive interrelationships with
others, thus why the flourishing of one's self and the community are dependant on one
another. If individuals put the principles into practice, they will develop a community
where everyone's dignity, no matter the individual’s circumstance, will be respected and
the common good will be achieved. You simply can not flourish by yourself, only with the
whole community at local and global levels.

REFERENCES (APA)
1. Australian Catholic University. (2017). Section.1: The Good Life and the Golden Rule.
UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/
8e8cfd0c-0c07-4862-92c1-118b46d203d4/26/M1-TheGoldenRule.html

2. Australian Catholic University. (2017). Section. 2: I am because we are; Individual

and Society. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from shttps://leocontent.acu.edu.au/
file/8e8cfd0c-0c07-4862-92c1-118b46d203d4/26/M2- IndividualAndSociety.html

3. Australian Catholic University. (2017). Section.3: The History and Principles of

Catholic social thought. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from https://
leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/8e8cfd0c-0c07-4862-92c1-118b46d203d4/26/M3-
HistoryAndPrinciplesCST.html

4. Australian Catholic University. (2017). Section. 4: Human Flourishing and the

Common Good. UNCC100 Unit Materials. Retrieved from https://
leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/8e8cfd0c-0c07-4862-92c1-118b46d203d4/26/M4-
HumanFlourishingCG.html

5. Mufila, V. (2019). Africa, a history to rediscover. 10 – The Ubuntu philosophy. [online]

Pressenza. Available at: https://www.pressenza.com/2018/10/africa-a-history-to-
rediscover-10-the-ubuntu-philosophy/ [Accessed 25 Aug. 2019].

6. Caritas.org.au. (2019). The Common Good - The common good is reached when we

work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world.
[online] Available at: https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/cst/the-common-good
[Accessed 29 Aug. 2019].

7. Caritas.org.au. (2019). Subsidiarity and Participation - All people have the right to

participate in decisions that affect their lives. [online] Available at: https://
www.caritas.org.au/learn/cst/subsidiarity-and-participation [Accessed 29 Aug. 2019].