The document discusses different types of justice according to Catholic social teaching, including commutative justice concerning relationships between individuals, legal justice concerning individuals' obedience to laws, and distributive justice concerning society's distribution of wealth. It also discusses concepts like solidarity, preferential option for the poor, and proportional equality in how people are rewarded for their work.

1. “ I the LORD love justice” (Isaiah 61.8) In Search of the Good ~ A Catholic Understanding of Moral Living ~ CHAPTER 13

2. For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “stand there,” or “sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? -Letter of James 2.2-5

3. Who is a Just Person? A just person is someone who relates to the needs of others and has the responsibility to accept the poor and sinful. Moses · - Moses was just because he carried out the burdens of others, endangered his own life so others would be free, and stood up for the voiceless and powerless Jesus · - His whole ministry was regarded to the poor, sick, and overburdened. · - Prayed to God to forgive others · -Very generous · -Accepted death to save the guilty · -Suffered for sinners even though he was sinless.

4. Different Types of Justice Justice is closely tied with our Catholic tradition. Jesus’ followers were sought to live justly even if there was chaos and corruption surrounding them. Three Types of Justice: 1) Commutative Justice: -Relationship of one individual to another individual. - Not personal - Are corporations such as associations, retail stores, sports clubs, law firms, religious communities, etc. - Important because of the nature of all agreements that should be based on trust, confidence, and respect

5. 3) Distributive Justice - Relationship of society or the government of the individual - Deals with the unequal distribution and basic equality society must recognize. The Good of Citizenship Conditions of becoming a citizen, and the rights we enjoy of being a citizen. Goal of Economic Security and Public Assistance Programs that respond to the needs of those who need protection and help Economic Good Regulates money and merchandise, benefits of the economy (ex. banking) Good of Offices and Positions Distribution based on qualifications set by public procedures. No one be discriminated on basis of age, sex, religion, etc. 2) Legal Justice Relationship of the individual to the society or state - Also known as “contributive justice” - Concerned with individuals obedience of the law, if not obedient must accept the consequences - Participate in creating laws that benefit the good of society

8. Solidarity - Solidarity is unity with and among people, based on common interests, values and principles. -Most modern political theories have a common point of departure: the individual and his or her instincts and drives to posses him or her self and material goods -The individual’s bond to a larger social whole is based on a “social contract” which obliges each citizen to abide by the social arrangement -The social bond must be so constructed as to be in the individuals self-interest -Historically, the motivation for compliance has mostly been fear of death or fear of chaos -Catholic social teaching advocates another style of social relationship with a different point of departure: the common good – and individual goods ought to serve the common good -Solidarity is the virtue that binds us to one another in the distribution of wealth -This solidarity can be understood (in its widest sense) as a solidarity with God’s love of creation and a solidarity with those who are near to us (family, community, country) and those who are far away (all children of God)

9. -Finally it is seen as solidarity with the natural earth - with the earth’s ecosystems -Our understanding of solidarity with the poor has become more central - known as the “preferential option for the poor” - which must be understood as a commitment to the poor on account of God’s concern for the poor -‘Solidarity with the poor’ suggests that when we consider problems of the social order, our solutions must bear in mind the people who are poor and powerless -US Bishops proposed three priorities in economic decision making: - Fulfillment of the basic needs of the poor is the highest priority… - Increasing participation in economic life by those who are presently excluded or vulnerable - The investment of wealth, talent or human energy should be directed to those who are poor (the economically insecure)

10. Proportional Equality If before God we are all equal, should there not be equality in how we are rewarded for our work? Why do profession athletes make millions for what they do and the single mother waitress makes minimum wage? This kind of justice is Commutative Justice is described as blind – it makes no difference who I owe 50$ to – the fact is that it is still 50$ Distributive Justice is a type of justice whereby there is no arithmetic equality - it is proportional and asks – “What is a fair or just distribution of wealth or material goods?” Below are four criteria that have been used to measure the distribution of economic goods: (1) Need – It is a strict duty of justice and truth not to allow fundamental human needs to remain unsatisfied. - Every human being has the right to decent human living - The distribution of goods must provide at least a minimum standard of living - When number of food banks and homeless increase – questions need to be asked whether welfare subsidies have fallen too low: what can be done about employment and housing? - Support given to those who cant care for themselves, who are dependant upon assistance must be enough to take care of the fundamental human needs of food and shelter

11. (2) A Just Wage – Catholic teaching says ‘a just wage’ falls under Distributive Justice because work is personal and necessary - Each has a right to what is required to live and ultimately it is not the contract but the need that ought to determine the wage - A just wage is a wage that allows one to fulfill the basic needs of human life - The needs of one person are higher than another and there is a considerable difference between desires, capacities and powers of each worker - A just wage should permit each one to have his or her basic needs fulfilled (3) Effort and Skill Required – Unequal reward is also due to different levels of effort and skill needed to do work - In modern economy, wage levels are determined by: power of the union, the success of the firm, the scarcity or abundance of workers in a field, and the popularity of the product. (4) Productivity - In current economies, the higher the level of productivity = the higher salaries - At the individual level, the Brian Surgeon makes a greater contribution to the health of a patient than the attendant nurse and hence – rewards will differ

16. Quiz – Part A: Identify and Explain

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44. The End! Now go live your lives as just people.