Posted: September 22nd, 2023

Catholic Social Teaching and Its Relevance to Academic Pursuits

In this assessment task you will reflect on the Catholic social thought principles with reference to or consideration of your course of study to explain the interrelatedness of self and community.
You will do this using the format of stand-alone, medium-length paragraphs that respond to four statements below (300 words for each of the four statements):
1. Describe how the CST principles of human dignity and the common good, respectively, balance the importance of individual persons with the importance of communities.
2. Describe the ways the CST principles of human dignity and the common good, comparatively, support and inform each other.
3. Explain how the CST principles of human dignity and the common good are relevant to key themes or ideas in your course of study.
4. Explain how the CST principles of preferential option for the poor and promotion of peace are relevant to key themes or ideas in your course of study.
Course of study: the degree program you are enrolled in at ACU.
It is a requirement that you:
a) citeatleastthefollowingfivereadings/resources:
i. Lisa Sowle Cahill, “Catholic Social Teaching,” in The Cambridge Companion to Christian Political Theology, ed. Craig Hovey and Elizabeth Phillips (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015) 67–87, in relation to your responses to at least two of the statements.
ii. Motsamai Molefe, “Ubuntu and Development: An African Conception of Development,” Africa Today 66 (2019) 96–115, in relation to your responses to at least two of the statements.
iii. one resource (e.g., LEO book, a linked article, reading (other than Cahill, 2015), a YouTube video, etc.) that is included in the LEO folder/tile for Module 1: Catholic social thought principles, in relation to your responses to at least two of the statements.
iv. one resource (e.g., LEO book, a linked article, reading (other than Molefe, 2019), a YouTube video, etc.) that is included in the LEO folder/tile for Module 2: Ubuntu, in relation to your responses to at least two of the statements.
v. one Faculty-specific unit reading from Module 1: Catholic social thought principles or one Faculty-specific resource/website study bay (refer to ‘Texts and References’ section towards the end of the Extended Unit Outline), in relation to your responses to statements 3 and 4.
b) identify your course of study in your responses to statements 3 and 4.

Catholic Social Teaching
Describe how the CST principles of human dignity and the common good, respectively, balance the importance of individual persons with the importance of communities.
Two of the most fundamental tenets of Catholic Social Teaching are respect for human dignity and service to the common good. It involves placing a premium on people while considering the requirements of groups, these values strike a fair balance between the interests of individuals and society. In CST, the human person is the “core and summit,” as such, every person’s inherent worth and value must be upheld. The common good must be considered in the society. According to CST, regard for individual human dignity should not be at the cost of society. The common good refers to the aggregate of social circumstances that make it easier and more likely for people to realize their potential as individuals and as members of organizations. It is all-encompassing, including material and spiritual things, and catering to individual and communal needs.
Putting people first and treating them with dignity is essential if we want to achieve the common good. Everyone has something special to offer the world, and everyone should be given a chance to shine. When individuals feel valued, they are more likely to work toward a shared goal. People with disabilities have the opportunity to contribute their skills and knowledge to society and to take part in community activities. People’s ability to contribute to society suffers when they are not treated with dignity. When this happens, it might lower everyone’s standard of living. For everyone’s happiness in society, it is crucial to strike a balance between the values of individuals, groups, and communities. When people’s inherent worth as human beings and the greater good are equally valued, everyone has a chance to blossom and positively impact their society. Everyone wins when they are valued without discrimination.
Describe how the CST principles of human dignity and the common good comparatively, support and inform each other.
Catholic social teaching has several basic ideas, including respect for the dignity of every person and the betterment of society as a whole. These tenets stem from the belief that every person is created with inherent worth and dignity by God. The “common good” refers to society as a whole, including the conditions under which people may live in harmony and flourish to their fullest potential. These conditions include economic prosperity, equal educational opportunities, adequate healthcare, and a pristine natural environment.
Both human dignity and the common good, two core CST ideas, complement and strengthen one another. First, the public good rests on the premise of the intrinsic worth of each person. Everyone has inherent worth and dignity since they are created in God’s image. Second, CST’s goal is to improve society as a whole. Creating this is one of our goals as we try to build a more equitable society. That is why it is so important to work together to meet the needs of everyone, especially the most vulnerable in society. Third, the common good can only be attained via the selfless commitment of every person to the happiness of their fellow human being. In order to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at success, we need to foster the type of atmosphere that can only be achieved through collective effort. What this means is that we need to work together to create a society that can provide for the needs of its citizens. Thus, the best approach to further the common good is to work together to meet the needs of the defenseless members of our society. As a result, people must show mercy and help those who are really in need. When people work to protect people’s inherent worth and the greater good, they contribute to building a more just and caring society.
Explain how the CST principles of human dignity and the common good are relevant to key themes or ideas in your course of study.
The inherent worth of each individual is central to Catholic social theory. One of the cornerstones of Catholic social thought is respect for the inherent worth and value of every human being. Since God made human beings in His likeness, people should treat one another with the utmost decency. The need to treat people with kindness and consideration is important to the field of study, making this study essential. It has a bearing on social justice since it constantly reminds everyone to be treated with respect and courtesy. Following Catholic social teaching, the common good is prioritized. Catholic social theory places a premium on what is considered the greater good for everyone. This guiding concept urges people to put aside their differences and cooperate for the greater good. The principles emphasis on collaboration and mutual benefit making it applicable to the field of study. It is pertinent to embrace social justice because it reminds people that they have to put aside their interests and strive for the greater good.
Catholic social teaching emphasizes giving priority to those who are most in need. The idea of the preferred choice for the poor and vulnerable urges people to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable in society. This guiding concept applies to my field of study since it highlights the need to assist those in the greatest need. It is important to society because it reminds people to look out for the weakest members of our community, making it pertinent to the discussion of social justice. Catholic social teaching promotes respect for employees and their rights as professionals. Catholic social teaching emphasizes the need to uphold workers’ rights and recognize their contributions to society. The guiding concept is instructive for me in my field of study since it stresses the need to treat employees fairly and respectfully. Workers’ rights to be treated fairly and with dignity are highlighted, making this a problem that intersects with social justice concerns.
Explain how the CST principles of preferential option for the poor and promotion of peace are relevant to key themes or ideas in your course of study.
Since people believe that God has a particular love for the impoverished and that society is obligated to love them, people may rationalize the preferred choice for the poor based on this conviction. I find this notion to be very pertinent to my studies. Helping people in need and speaking out for those with fewer means is at the heart of social work. This tenet serves as a gentle reminder to put my customers’ needs above my own and to be ready to go the extra mile whenever necessary.
The notion that God wants peace and that people are called to work toward that goal informs the promotion of the peace concept. As an international relations major, I find this idea applicable to my studies. The pursuit of peace and the avoidance of conflict should be constant goals in international relations. The guiding concept helps me remember that I should always strive to make the world more peaceful. The concept of human dignity stems from the conviction that every individual has inherent worth since they are made in God’s image. I find this idea to be very applicable to my studies. In the field of psychology, it is crucial to keep in mind that every individual deserves respect. This guiding concept helps me remember the importance of treating my coworkers with the courtesy and respect they deserve from me. A fundamental tenet of the common good concept is the idea that we are all obligated to cooperate for the benefit of society as a whole. This idea is directly applicable to my academic interests. When practicing sociology, one must constantly consider the effects of their actions on others and prioritize the greater good. This guiding concept is a constant reminder to prioritize the collective good above narrow self-interest.

Bibliography
Hovey, Craig, and Elizabeth Phillips, eds. The Cambridge companion to Christian political theology. Cambridge University Press, 2015.
McKinney, Stephen J. “Catholic social teaching, Catholic education and religious education.” In Global perspectives on Catholic religious education in schools, pp. 393-403. Springer, Singapore, 2019. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-6127-2_32
Molefe, Motsamai. “Ubuntu and development: An African conception of development.” Africa Today 66, no. 1 (2019): 96-115.
Stabile, Susan J. “CST 101: Basic Principles of Catholic Social Thought.” Review of Business 27, no. 2 (2006).
Tenorio de Azevedo, Maria Rosalia. “A Case for the Common Good: How Training in Faith-Based Media Literacy Helped Teachers Address Social Justice Issues in the Classroom.” Journal of Media Literacy Education 11, no. 1 (2019): 97-113.

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Catholic social thought principles and their relevance to key themes in various fields of study:
Catholic Social Teaching and Its Relevance to Academic Pursuits
Introduction
Catholic social thought, also known as Catholic social teaching, comprises the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state. It advocates for a socially and economically just society. At the heart of Catholic social teaching are principles like human dignity, the common good, preferential option for the poor, and promotion of peace and nonviolence. These principles have relevance across different academic disciplines and areas of study. This paper will explore how the principles of human dignity, the common good, preferential option for the poor, and promotion of peace relate to key ideas in fields like social work, international relations, psychology, and sociology.
Human Dignity and the Common Good in Social Work
Two foundational principles of Catholic social teaching are human dignity and the common good. The concept of human dignity stems from the belief that all human beings are created in God’s image and likeness and therefore possess inherent worth that should be respected (Cahill, 2015). The common good refers to the social conditions that allow individuals, groups, and institutions to reach their full potential and flourish (Molefe, 2019). These principles are highly applicable to the field of social work.
Social work is centered around helping people in need and empowering at-risk populations. It aims to fight injustice and promote social change (McKinney, 2019). Upholding the dignity of every person is therefore crucial in social work practice. Social workers must treat all clients, regardless of background or circumstances, with compassion and respect. They should work to restore clients’ sense of self-worth. Additionally, the concept of the common good is relevant as it orients social work towards improving overall community well-being and ensuring that basic needs are met for the most vulnerable (Stabile, 2006). By addressing issues holistically at both individual and societal levels, social work strives for outcomes that benefit humanity as a whole.
Human Dignity and Peace in International Relations
In international relations, promoting peace is a key goal. Catholic social teaching’s emphasis on nonviolence and the dignity of all people strongly relates to this objective. The Church asserts that since human beings are made in the image of God, violence against any person is unacceptable (Cahill, 2015). It advocates resolving conflicts through respectful dialogue and non-military means wherever possible.
This dovetails with approaches in the field of international relations that prioritize diplomacy, cooperation, and multilateralism over unilateral military action (Tenorio de Azevedo, 2019). Upholding the inherent worth of every nation-state and culture is also important. When disputes arise, international relations scholars emphasize the need to understand different perspectives and find common ground, treating all parties as equals deserving of dignity. Overall, Catholic social teaching’s promotion of peace and nonviolence aligns well with the discipline’s focus on maintaining harmonious relations between countries through respect, justice, and non-forceful dispute resolution.
Preferential Option for the Poor in Psychology

In psychology, consideration for marginalized populations is paramount. Catholic social teaching’s “preferential option for the poor” principle encourages giving special attention to those most in need (Cahill, 2015). This connects to psychology’s aim of helping underserved communities and addressing inequities (Molefe, 2019).
Psychologists seek to understand how societal disadvantages like poverty, discrimination, lack of access to resources, and trauma impact mental health and well-being. They work to eliminate disparities in care and empower disadvantaged groups. The preferential option for the poor principle guides psychologists to prioritize assisting impoverished clients and advocating for systemic changes to support vulnerable populations. It orients the field towards addressing not just individual problems but also their wider socioeconomic determinants (Stabile, 2006). Overall, this Catholic social teaching tenet reinforces psychology’s commitment to serving disadvantaged communities and fighting the root causes of their marginalization.
Human Dignity and the Common Good in Sociology
Finally, in sociology, principles of human dignity and the common good from Catholic social teaching are also applicable. Sociology examines how social structures, cultural norms, and interactions between groups impact society (Tenorio de Azevedo, 2019). It aims to understand both micro-level relationships and macro-level organization.
The dignity of the human person principle reminds sociologists to value individuals while also seeing them as social beings embedded in communities (Cahill, 2015). Research essay writing service. It orients research towards empowering people and strengthening bonds between them. Additionally, the common good principle aligns with sociology’s goal of analyzing how social, political, and economic systems can better promote well-being, justice, and prosperity for all (Molefe, 2019). Sociologists consider what institutional arrangements and cultural changes would allow individuals and associations to thrive so that the population as a whole may progress. Overall, these Catholic social teaching tenets support sociology’s dual focus on both micro-level human experiences and macro-level social structures.
Conclusion
In summary, Catholic social thought puts forth principles of human dignity, the common good, preferential option for the poor, and promotion of peace that have relevance across academic fields from social work and international relations to psychology and sociology. These disciplines all aim to understand human experiences, empower disadvantaged groups, and build a more just, harmonious and flourishing society. Catholic social teaching provides a framework that reinforces these goals and can help inform research, practice and advocacy within various areas of study. Its emphasis on upholding the worth of all people while also advancing community ties and the well-being of society as a whole aligns closely with approaches in these disciplines.

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Study Bay Notes:
Catholic Social Teaching and Its Relevance to Academic Pursuits

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a body of doctrine that guides the moral and social actions of the Catholic Church and its members. CST is based on the belief that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore have inherent dignity and worth. CST also affirms that human beings are social by nature, and that they have a responsibility to contribute to the common good of society. In this essay, I will describe how the CST principles of human dignity and the common good, respectively, balance the importance of individual persons with the importance of communities. I will also explain how these principles are relevant to key themes or ideas in my course of study, which is sociology.

The principle of human dignity asserts that every person has a unique and irreplaceable value that transcends any social, economic, or political condition. Human dignity is the foundation of all human rights, and it demands respect for the life, freedom, and dignity of every person from conception to natural death. Human dignity also implies that every person has a right to participate in society and to fulfill their potential according to their God-given talents and abilities. The principle of human dignity recognizes the importance of individual persons as ends in themselves, not as means to an end.

The principle of the common good refers to the sum total of social conditions that allow people to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily. The common good is not just a collection of individual goods, but a shared good that benefits everyone and requires everyone’s cooperation. The common good includes respect for human rights, social justice, peace, solidarity, and care for creation. The principle of the common good recognizes the importance of communities as essential for human flourishing.

The CST principles of human dignity and the common good, respectively, balance the importance of individual persons with the importance of communities by affirming both their intrinsic value and their interdependence. On one hand, human dignity implies that every person has a right to pursue their own good without harming others or violating their rights. On the other hand, the common good implies that every person has a duty to contribute to the well-being of society and to respect its laws and norms. Thus, CST teaches that individual persons and communities are not opposed or mutually exclusive, but complementary and mutually enriching.

The CST principles of human dignity and the common good are relevant to key themes or ideas in my course of study, which is sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior, groups, and societies. Sociology aims to understand how people interact with each other, how they organize themselves into various forms of social structures, how they create and maintain culture, and how they cope with social problems and change. Sociology also examines how social factors influence various aspects of human life, such as identity, health, education, religion, politics, economy, and environment.

One way that the CST principles of human dignity and the common good are relevant to sociology is that they provide a normative framework for evaluating social phenomena. Sociology is not only a descriptive discipline that observes and explains what is happening in society, but also a prescriptive discipline that suggests what should be happening in society. Sociology can use the CST principles of human dignity and the common good as criteria for assessing whether a given social situation is conducive or detrimental to human flourishing. For example, sociology can use these principles to critique social inequalities, injustices, conflicts, or environmental degradation that violate human dignity or undermine the common good.

Another way that the CST principles of human dignity and the common good are relevant to sociology is that they inspire a vision for social transformation. Sociology is not only a critical discipline that exposes and challenges what is wrong in society, but also a constructive discipline that proposes and promotes what is right in society. Sociology can use the CST principles of human dignity and the common good as ideals for envisioning a more humane and just society. For example, sociology can use these principles to advocate for social policies, movements, or initiatives that enhance human rights, social justice, peace,
solidarity, or care for creation.

In conclusion, Catholic Social Teaching is a rich source of moral and social guidance for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The CST principles of human dignity and the common good are especially relevant for balancing the importance of individual persons with the importance of communities. These principles are also applicable to key themes or ideas in my course of study,
which is sociology. By applying these principles to my academic pursuits, I hope to deepen my understanding of society and to contribute to its improvement.

Works Cited

Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed., Libreria Editrice Vaticana,
1997.

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine
of the Church. Libreria Editrice Vaticana,
2004.

Sociology: A Global Perspective. 10th ed., Cengage Learning,
2018.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Seven Themes of Catholic
Social Teaching. http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

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