SOCIOLOGY 3 Socio Cultural Dimension

Prof. Ma Corazon T. Unas Institute of Religion

 Man tends to ask the why s of things as he grows older why do we study? why is it difficult to be good? why do we need to listen to others? Many will give answers but all of them boils down to one source and goal all are directly or indirectly related to the HUMAN PERSONthe center of all. But MAN is a paradox- hard to understand, each individual is a complex being with different traits, yet whole. The need to study man is basic.

 There are characteristics which all human persons possess and exhibit: I. Relation to oneself a. embodied spirit- body and soul- of all God s created beings, we are the only one who have the spiritual power to reason and freely act according to our own will. Human persons are both limited at the same time transcendent. We have the capacity to go beyond any particular limitation.

 b. unique- being self-transcending, we are unique, original. We keep changing by constant questioning and choosing freely for ourselves. c. oriented to goodness- it is our natural tendency to seek the good. We avoid anything which will harm us and pursue things we perceive us good. Our natural gifts- intellect and will are to be used in order for us to relate to others, to be fulfilled in life and to come to full life with others.

 d. ambivalence- although we are born with dignity and gifts to do good, we are inclined also to do evil. Accdg to St Paul, this is due to the disorder of our own appetite which leads us to sin. We have to look for guidance, and sound education to know the real truth. e. conscience- the voice of God in us, telling us do good and avoid evil

 II. Relation to others No man is an island . Every person is oriented to other people. Facts: Our parents were responsible for our being here. Our natural faculties to communicate with others. The fear of being alone. We are like gems that shine more in the company of others.

 Relation to society- we are created to live in a society, to relate with social groups, structures and institutions which are built by the interactions and relationships of human persons. Society- is a group of persons united for the promotion of a common goal thru common means under a common authority. 4 essential elements of a society 1. members 2. common purpose 3. thru organized/ united effort 4. authority that governs it, and coordinates all its activities

 Relation of the individual with the society Society is a product of human decisions and activities. All human activities combined make up a system or CULTURE in a society. We are all partly a product of one society. As we affect society, society affects us too. IV. Relation to material things Our environment makes it possible for us to have a material relationship. a. work- where we show our capacities- natural faculties, talents, energy, drives, and desires. Thru work, we exercise our power to make use of the riches of the world and avail of its fruits.

b. stewardship- the human obligation to exercise responsibility over the riches of the earth so that they will used and developed for the benefit of all. Relation with God Man as he seeks for truth and happiness will eventually find out that he did not create himself- GOD did. Doctrine: 1. man is the highest of God s creatures. 2. man was created in the image and likeness of God. 3. man is special because of his inviolable dignity 4. this dignity is rooted from man s origin, meaning and destiny.

 The Social Mission of the Church Christianity teaches a life of brotherhood and love for the poor. The commitment of the Church to social issues started during the time of Pope Leo XIII and reached its high during Vatican 2. The approach is no longer that of individualistic but a communitarian morality and is now in continuous dialogue with those involved in the development of modern society.

 The Mission of the Church Today The core of the Church s social mission is to save man in his totality- which includes both socio-political and mystical dimensions of man s life. The Church views the problems affecting the world as both structural and moral. The structural aspects are concerned with the oppressive social structures like poverty, graft and corruption, etc. The moral aspect refers to the adherence to unjust concepts and principles like social injustice,poverty, yellow journalism, graft and corruption etc.

 Response of the Phil Catholic Church The Phil Church adopts the stance of constructive critical collaboration with civil authorities. The Church desires to work for cultural change. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Phil (CBCP) proposed 5 areas of conversion among Filipinos: 1. commitment to the common good above personal and family interest 2. commitment to honesty and integrity in public service. 3. understanding of the destination of the goods of the earth for all. 4. conversion from the consumerist mentality 5. profound understanding of the value of human work.

 Catholic Social Thought Social doctrines describes the role that the Church takes in finding solutions to the problems created by changes in the world. It is the religious and moral teachings of the Church and is bases on the following: 1. biblical insights 2. tradition of the Fathers of the Church 3. scholastic philosophy 4. theological reflections 5. contemporary experiences of the faithful

 Sources of Catholic Social Thought 1. natural law- comprises all moral principles that can be known thru reason 2. revelation- includes both the Scriptures and traditions. a. Old Testament- from the prophets we see the strong demands for justice and righteousness b. New Testament- teachings can be inferred from Christ s own examples and words and from the apostolic epistles.

 Overview of the Social Encyclicals 1. Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor) 1891 Pope Leo XIII wrote this encyclical It is the first comprehensive document of social justice especially on the subject of worker s rights. It is considered the Magna Carta of the Church s Social Doctine.

 2. Quadragessimo Anno- (The Reconstruction of Social Order) 1931 Pope Pius XI wrote this on the 40th anniversary of Rerum. He introduced here the concept of subsidiarity saying that social problems should be resolved on more local levels first. Furthermore, this encyclical dealt on social responsibility of ownership, and unity between capital and labor.

 3. Mater et Magistra (On Christianity and Social Progress) 1961 Pope John XXIII issued this encyclical to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Rerum. He confirms the teachings on the value of private initiative, just wages, social function of private property and addresses for the first time the plight of non industrialized nations

 4. Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) 1963 Pope John XXIII issued this encyclical during the course of Vatican 2 and shortly after the Cuban missile crisis. It was the first encyclical which addresses Catholics as well as non Catholics. It is the first encyclical ever to treat human rights in detail.

 5. Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World, Vatican 2)1965 This is the stand of the majority of the world s bishops during Vatican 2. It deals on the duties of the people of God to scrutinize the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel. It links the political issue of peace to the international economic order and human development.

 6. Populorum Progressio (On Delopment of Peoples) 1967 Issued during the time of Pope Paul VI. The first encyclical that dealt on the social problems and international development. Furthermore, it advocates economic planning and aid to promote development.

 Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action) 1971 Issued during the time of Pope Paul VI as a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the publication of the Rerum. It emphasizes the role of the individual Christians and local Churches in responding to situations of injustices. It also dealt on the problems of urbanization.

 8. Justice in the World (1971) Statement of the Synod of Bishops It explains the fundamental relationship between Christian faith and action for justice. It teaches that gospel principles mandating justice for the liberation of all humanity as an expression of Christian love.

 9. Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World) 1975. Pope Paul VI Issued during the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the closing of Vatican 2. It contains the Pope s reflections on the Church s mission to proclaim the Gospel to the world which is hostile to the love of God.

 10. Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) 1981 Commemorates the 90th anniversary of pope Leo XIII s Condition of Labor. It deals on the concept of work, its dignity, and spirituality, the priority of labor over capital, rights of workers and unions and finally, the development and refinement of the teachings on property.

 11. Solicitudo Rei Socialis (Concern for Social Realities) Pope John Paul II, 1987 Came on the 20th anniversary of Populorum Progressio. Has an incisive critique on the new form of colonization. Cited the signs of underdevelopment caused by East and West conflict.

 12. Centesimus Annus (Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum) John Paul II, 1991 Clearly denounces the attitude of complete reliance on the remedies proposed by Socialism or Capitalism. It also condemns consumerism because of the harm it does on the environment.

 Phil Church Social Teaching Comes from the following: 1. Plenary Council 2. Pastoral Letters of the CBCP 3. Catechism for Filipino Catholics(CFC) Focus: 1. widening gap between rich and poor 2. unemployment 3. malnutrition and hunger 4. human rights violations 5. threats of war and violence

 Major themes from Catholic Social Teachings 1. dignity of the human person- all people are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. 2. community and the common good- our dignity and rights in relationship with others. 3. rights and responsibilities- we have our fundamental rights and corresponding responsibilities to perform. 4. option for the poor- the moral test of a society is how it treats the most vulnerable members of it.

5. dignity of work-people have a right to a decent and productive work, fair wages, private property and economic initiative. 6. solidarity-we are one human family. 7. stewardship of creation- all created things would be shared fairly by all people 8. principle of subsidiarity- freedom and limitations must be adopted to determine field of action proper to individuals.

Human Rights and Justice Human dignity is inherent in human nature. We are all born with it and can not be removed or separated from it. It is equivalent to human existence and does not depend on others to acknowledge it, rather it demands such recognition and acknowledgment. From human dignity flows human rights/duties. The protection of human rights ensure the protection and preservation of human dignity.

 Rights- titles or claims to certain material or spiritual goods- in themselves or the title to access to such goods- and should be acknowledged and respected in return. a. Natural rights- all persons have these because we are all human beings, coming directly from our own human nature, manifested in the natural law. b. civil rights- rights given to citizens of the state in its effort to protect uphold human dignity.

It is the basic gift of God to man. -created man in His image -further dignified human life by sending His Son -respect/ reverence for human life is a sore human and Christian virtue. 2. Right to one s person- right of a person over his own body/ all bodily faculties and energies to carry out their essential ends. E.g. self-defense right to free movement right to the inviolability of one s home which serves as an extension of oneself

3. Right to property- right to the exclusive control over one s possession. Control means the right to acquire, use, consume and dispose of one s property within the bounds of law. This right is not absolute but subject to other rights. 4. Right to livelihood- way to acquire the necessities of life/ access to the common good. Violations: unemployment unjust wages

5. Right to one s way of life- right to choose one s occupation or career. In connection with this right, the State must provide: 1. proportionately, equal opportunities to education 2. a properly functioning labor market 3. a just and fair economic competition 4. a peaceful environment 6. Right to conscience- to act accdg to one s moral values

Natural human rights- they are the fundamental rights of all persons because they are human beings. They are meant to be protected and defended by the people and the state. Basic Human Rights ( UN 14 human rights) 1. right to life- the most fundamental of all. It is when a person is alive that he can fulfill his other rights and accomplish his mission in life. -preservation of life -right to basic necessities in life -resist unjust aggression or anything that directly or indirectly puts life in danger.