Catholic Social Teaching (part 1 of 3)

Summary

This video script delves into the Catholic Church's social teachings, emphasizing the importance of building a just society. It outlines three forms of justice: commutative, distributive, and social, and discusses the two 'feet of justice': charity and social justice. The script also touches on human rights as necessities for a dignified human life and the common good as the collective benefit of society. It sets the stage for exploring the seven major themes of Catholic social teaching.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script discusses the role of 21st-century Catholics in building a more just society, guided by the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church's social doctrine.
• 🏛️ It introduces three forms of justice: commutative, distributive, and social justice, each with its own principles and applications.
• 🔍 Commutative justice emphasizes fairness and balance, treating everyone the same, as in equal pay for equal work.
• 🍽️ Distributive justice focuses on the equitable distribution of resources according to individual needs, ensuring everyone's needs are met.
• 🌐 Social justice involves questioning and improving societal institutions to ensure they serve the dignity and needs of all members of society.
• 🤝 The 'two feet of justice' concept is presented, with charity providing immediate relief and social justice aiming for long-term systemic change.
• 🙋‍♂️ Human rights are defined as the necessary conditions for a person to live a truly human life, including food, shelter, healthcare, and respect.
• 🤔 The common good is contrasted with private good, emphasizing the importance of actions and policies that benefit society as a whole.
• 🏗️ The script calls for Catholics to engage in social justice, which can be challenging and controversial, often involving political action.
• 📚 It outlines seven major themes of Catholic social teaching, which are repeatedly emphasized in official church documents and are central to the faith's approach to social issues.

Q & A

What does it mean for 21st-century Catholics to live in a way that is faithful to the teachings of Jesus?

21st-century Catholics should strive to think, act, and live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, which includes building a more just society where the hungry are fed, the homeless find shelter, and the dignity of every person is recognized and respected.

What are the seven major themes of modern Catholic social teaching?

The script does not explicitly list the seven major themes of Catholic social teaching but mentions that they are spelled out in official church documents and occur repeatedly.

How is justice defined in the context of Catholic social teaching?

In Catholic social teaching, justice is defined in at least three forms: commutative justice, which involves fairness and balance; distributive justice, which involves distributing resources according to need; and social justice, which involves questioning the fairness of societal institutions.

What is commutative justice and how is it exemplified?

Commutative justice is about fairness and balance, treating everyone more or less the same. An example given is being paid exactly what you are owed for work done, or a family ensuring each member gets an equal share of food during a meal.

Can you explain distributive justice using the example provided in the script?

Distributive justice is about distributing resources according to individual needs. In the example, the family does not give the same amount of food to a five-year-old and a 19-year-old; instead, they distribute it based on size and appetite, ensuring everyone's needs are met.

What is social justice and how does it differ from the other forms of justice?

Social justice involves questioning the fairness of societal institutions and systems to ensure they respect the dignity of every person and meet the needs of all according to commutative and distributive justice. It differs from the other forms as it focuses on systemic changes rather than individual transactions or needs.

What are the two ways to achieve justice mentioned in the script?

The two ways to achieve justice are charity and social justice. Charity is short-term, providing immediate help like food, while social justice is long-term, aiming to make systemic changes to eliminate the need for charity.

How is the concept of human rights defined in the script?

Human rights are defined as whatever is needed for a person to subsist in a truly human fashion, including food, shelter, clothing, health care, respect, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

What is the common good and how does it contrast with private good?

The common good refers to what benefits society as a whole, in contrast to the private good of individuals or sections of society. It involves putting collective interests ahead of personal interests, such as funding public services like fire departments and police, which benefit everyone indirectly.

Why is working for social justice considered more challenging than charity?

Working for social justice is considered more challenging because it involves systemic changes, can be controversial, and often requires political involvement. It may also take a lot of time and effort, unlike charity which is more immediate and personally rewarding.

How does the concept of the common good relate to the actions of individuals in society?

The concept of the common good relates to individual actions by encouraging people to contribute to societal benefits even if they do not directly benefit from them. It promotes a collective mindset where the well-being of society is prioritized over individual interests.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Building a Just Society: Catholic Social Teaching

This paragraph introduces the concept of modern Catholic social teaching and its focus on creating a more just society. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the dignity of every person, ensuring that the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and that justice is served. The paragraph outlines three forms of justice: commutative, distributive, and social justice. Commutative justice is about fairness and balance, treating everyone the same, as in equal pay for equal work. Distributive justice involves distributing resources according to individual needs, ensuring everyone's needs are met. Social justice is about examining and improving societal institutions to ensure they serve the common good and respect the dignity of every person. The paragraph also introduces the two 'feet' of justice: charity, which is a short-term solution to immediate needs, and social justice, which is a long-term approach to systemic issues.

05:02

🌟 Human Rights and the Common Good in Catholic Social Teaching

The second paragraph delves into the concepts of human rights and the common good as they relate to Catholic social teaching. It begins by defining a right as what is needed for a person to live in a truly human way, which includes not only basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare, but also respect, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. The paragraph then connects human rights to human needs, suggesting that in modern society, this also includes the right to education and a secure job with a living wage. The common good is presented as something that benefits society as a whole, rather than just individuals or groups. Examples given include public services like fire departments and police, as well as accessibility ramps for the physically handicapped. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering the common good over private interests, suggesting that this is a key aspect of Catholic social teaching.

Keywords

💡Justice

Justice in the context of the video refers to the fair and moral treatment of all individuals within a society. It is a central theme of Catholic social teaching and is discussed in terms of three forms: commutative, distributive, and social justice. Commutative justice is about fairness and balance, as exemplified by the script's story of an employer paying a worker for their labor. Distributive justice involves the allocation of resources according to need, as seen in the Thanksgiving dinner scenario where food is distributed based on individual appetites. Social justice is about questioning and improving societal structures to ensure they serve the common good and respect the dignity of every person.

💡Commutative Justice

Commutative justice is the first form of justice mentioned in the script, which involves fairness and balance in transactions. It is the idea that everyone should be treated more or less the same, with each party receiving what they are due. The script illustrates this with the example of an employer paying a worker a set amount for a set number of hours worked, ensuring a direct and fair exchange.

💡Distributive Justice

Distributive justice is the second form of justice discussed in the video, which focuses on the allocation of resources according to individual needs. Unlike commutative justice, distributive justice does not aim for equal distribution but rather for a fair distribution that meets the needs of each person. The script uses the Thanksgiving dinner example to show how food is distributed based on the varying needs and appetites of family members.

💡Social Justice

Social justice is the third form of justice and is central to the video's theme of building a more just society. It involves examining and addressing the fairness of societal institutions, such as legal, political, economic, and educational systems. The goal is to ensure these institutions respect the dignity of every person and meet the needs of all individuals as per commutative and distributive justice. The script suggests that social justice is about long-term change and can involve challenging the status quo.

💡Charity

Charity is presented in the video as one of the 'two feet of justice,' referring to the immediate, short-term response to needs, such as feeding the hungry. It is an act of generosity and compassion, often involving direct assistance to those in need. The script contrasts charity with social justice, noting that while charity provides immediate relief, it does not address the root causes of societal issues.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are defined in the script as the fundamental needs necessary for a person to live a truly human life. These rights are connected to basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and a sense of belonging. The Catholic Church's teaching, as mentioned in the video, emphasizes that every person has a right to these necessities, which are essential for living a dignified life.

💡Common Good

The common good is a concept that emphasizes the benefits to society as a whole, rather than just individual or group interests. It is about promoting the well-being of all members of society. In the video, examples such as funding for fire departments and accessibility ramps for the physically handicapped illustrate how the common good can lead to indirect benefits for everyone, even if they do not directly use the service or facility.

💡Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching is the overarching framework within which the concepts of justice, charity, human rights, and the common good are discussed in the video. It is a collection of principles and themes that guide Catholic Christians in their efforts to build a more just society. The script mentions that these teachings are outlined in various official church documents and are rooted in the teachings of Jesus.

💡Dignity

Dignity is a recurring theme in the video, referring to the inherent worth and respect that every individual deserves. It is closely tied to the concept of human rights and is a key consideration when evaluating whether societal institutions are just. The script emphasizes that a just society recognizes and respects the dignity of every person.

💡Needs

Needs, as discussed in the video, are the basic requirements for a person to live a decent and dignified life. These include not only physical necessities like food, clothing, and shelter but also emotional and social needs such as respect, acceptance, and a sense of community. The fulfillment of these needs is a central focus of both charity and social justice within the context of Catholic social teaching.

💡Institutions

Institutions are the structures and organizations that make up society, including legal, political, economic, and educational systems. The video discusses the importance of evaluating these institutions to ensure they contribute to social justice and the common good. It suggests that institutions should be designed and reformed to meet the needs of all members of society and respect their dignity.

Highlights

21st century Catholics strive to live according to the teachings of Jesus and to build a just society.

Catholic social teaching is outlined in various official church documents from Popes and councils.

There are seven major themes in Catholic social teaching documents.

Justice is a key concept with three forms: commutative, distributive, and social justice.

Commutative justice involves fair exchanges, like being paid for work done.

Distributive justice is about distributing resources according to need.

Social justice questions the fairness of societal institutions and systems.

Achieving justice has two 'feet': charity and social justice.

Charity is a short-term solution to immediate needs, like feeding the hungry.

Social justice is a long-term approach to systemic issues, such as advocating for a living wage.

Human rights are defined as what is needed for a person to live in a truly human fashion.

The common good refers to what benefits society as a whole, not just individuals.

Catholics are encouraged to contribute to the common good by prioritizing collective interests.

The concept of the common good includes public services like fire departments and police.

Access to public places for physically handicapped people is an example of the common good.

With these concepts, we can examine the seven major themes of Catholic social teaching.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Music]

21st century catholics try to think act

and live in a way that is faithful to

the teaching of jesus and to the example

he set for us

since we are by nature social beings

that clearly includes building a more

just society a society where the hungary

are fed the homeless find shelter and

most importantly

the dignity of every person is

recognized and respected

but what exactly can and should catholic

christians do about building a more just

society

this is the subject of modern catholic

social teaching a teaching which has

been spelled out in a number of official

church documents from pope's ecumenical

councils and synods of bishops in

various countries around the world

there are seven major themes that occur

over and over again in these church

teaching documents

but before we can examine them we need

to briefly define and understand three

important concepts

the first of these concepts is justice

the catholic understanding of justice

has always recognized that there are at

least three forms of justice

the first commutative justice is the

first thing most of us think about when

we hear or read that word it means

fairness and balance in the sense that

everyone is treated more or less the

same

if someone hires you to work for twenty

five dollars an hour and you work four

hours for them then you must be paid one

hundred dollars

there is a balance here

your employer receives what he deserves

four hours of your labor and you get

what you deserve one hundred dollars

here's another example it's thanksgiving

day and your entire family is seated

around the table grandma carves the

turkey and is careful to make sure that

everyone gets exactly the same amount of

white and dark meat and she weighs and

doles out the vegetables and dessert the

very same way everyone gets exactly the

same amount of food and no one can

complain that they got cheated

commutative justice

but that's not how we share thanksgiving

dinner and other meals is it grandma

doesn't give her five-year-old

granddaughter the same amount of food as

her 19 year old grandson

no the food is distributed according to

need

the bigger people and those who have

bigger appetites get more

maybe even seconds

everyone at the meal is happy even

though they all don't get the same

amount

this is the second form of justice known

as distributive justice

resources in this case the food are

distributed to each person according to

their need

in order to do and be well

some need more and some need less

this is a different kind of balance but

it too is totally fair

as much as possible everyone's needs are

met

the third form of justice is a bit

different

it's called social justice and it is

achieved by asking questions about the

fairness of our society's institutions

our legal and political systems

our economic financial and educational

institutions and all the rest

are these institutions and our society

as a whole respecting the dignity of

every person and are they meeting the

needs of all according to both

commutative and distributive justice

if not how can we change those

institutions so they better serve the

needs of all and the common good as well

it is often said that there are two ways

to achieve justice that is to make sure

everyone's needs are met and they are

commonly called the two feet of justice

the first foot is charity

someone has no food and is going hungry

so you and your friends generously take

up a collection and give them something

to eat

like jesus feeding the five thousand

the traditional list of corporal and

spiritual works of mercy comes to mind

here

the second foot of justice is the

already mentioned social justice we work

together to discover why people are

hungry and we try to fix that we make

the kind of changes needed for example

workers and their families might be

going hungry because even though they

work full-time they do not earn enough

to pay for housing transportation

medical care and food

so we work to increase the minimum wage

so that everyone who works full-time

makes enough to meet their needs

including food

so the first charity is short term the

people who lack food get fed for a day

or two but the second social justice is

long term

we try to make changes that will

eliminate hunger in the long run so

people no longer need charity

of course charity makes us feel good

we're the good people who feed poor

people and few people will criticize us

for acting charitably but working for

social justice can be both difficult and

controversial and may take a lot of time

and effort and it usually means getting

involved in politics

think for example of martin luther king

jr

a second consideration before going

further is the concept of human rights

we often speak of rights the bill of

rights the right to life and so forth

well what exactly is a right

going all the way back to the ancient

greeks to the time of aristotle a right

has been defined as whatever is needed

for a person to subsist in a truly human

fashion

what does every person need in order to

live in a way befitting a human being

in order to live a decent dignified life

human needs include not only food

shelter clothing and health care but

also respect and acceptance and a sense

of belonging

that's the traditional definition of a

human right which the catholic church

accepts and uses in her teaching every

person has a need and thus a right to

food clothing health care and shelter

and in our society that means they have

a right to the means to achieve those

goods

in order to live and thrive in our

modern technological society a good

education

leading to a secure job that pays a

living wage are required

so human rights are connected to human

needs

the third and final consideration before

we begin has to do with the question of

the common good much of catholic social

teaching suggests that we all should be

concerned with contributing to the

common good but what does that mean

the common good refers to that which

benefits society as a whole in contrast

to the private good of individuals and

sections of society

keep this in mind

you may never directly personally

benefit from whatever is in the common

good only indirectly for example even

though you hope you will never need

their services and probably never will

paying taxes to fund your city's fire

department and police department is in

the common good

what they do for public safety is in the

long run in our collective best interest

we all benefit if not directly then at

least indirectly with lower rates for

fire insurance for example

the same can be said for building ramps

to give physically handicapped people

access to public places

even though you personally may never use

such a ramp it is in all of our best

interest that people with physical

limitations be able to fully participate

in and contribute to life in our

communities

so when we talk about the common good we

are asking about what benefits society

as a whole in contrast to the private

good of individuals and sections of

society

we put our common interests ahead of our

own private interests

so with these concepts in hand

commutative distributive and social

justice human rights and the common good

we now turn our attention to the seven

major themes of catholic social teaching

you