The document outlines the key principles of Catholic social doctrine: human dignity, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. It explains that these four principles are derived from natural law and God's creation of humanity. The principles apply to relationships at all levels of society and aim to protect human dignity and rights, work for the well-being of all, respect autonomy and community, and care for the poor and vulnerable. Secondary principles discussed include the universal destination of goods, the right to private property, and the necessity of moral virtue and charity.

1. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church

2. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
The Church’s Teaching
Rests on a Solid Foundation
• Even from a brief scan of the
Church’s social teaching, we see
certain principles recur
– Human nature doesn’t change;
human behavior follows the same
patterns today as in the past
– Circumstances and technology
change
• Christian doctrine becomes more
detailed through years in response
to environmental changes

3. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
The Church’s Teaching
Rests on a Solid Foundation (continued)
• The four basic principles of Christian doctrine are:
– The dignity of the human person
– The common good
– Solidarity
– Subsidiarity
• These principles are essential for relationships—from families
and friendships to global relationships
• Sometimes these principles are misconstrued or
misunderstood

4. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
HUMAN DIGNITY
• Human dignity: the most
fundamental principle of
Catholic social thought
– Human beings are created in
God’s image
– We must honor everyone from
conception until natural death
• To think and love like Christ,
discrimination must not hinder
our knowledge that we are all
equal

5. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
HUMAN DIGNITY (continued)
• Personal dignity does not depend upon one’s job, possessions,
accomplishments, physical strength, or even virtues
• Catholic tradition distinguishes natural differences from “sinful
inequalities”
– Our natural differences give us the conditions for mutual enrichment
– Material inequality does not deprive the poor of the divine image or
inherent dignity

6. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE COMMON GOOD
• The common good has always
been central to Christian ethics
• What is the common good?
• The Catechism defines
common good:
– “The sum of social conditions
which allow people, either as
groups or individuals, to reach
their fulfillment more fully and
more easily. The common good
concerns the life of all.”

7. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE COMMON GOOD (continued)
• The Catechism also specifies “three essential elements” of the
common good:
1. The common good presupposes human dignity and respect for each
person
2. Authorities should make sure all people have access to the basic
goods necessary to lead a truly human life
3. The common good requires peace

8. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE COMMON GOOD (continued)
• In his Summa Theologica,
St. Thomas Aquinas identifies
the “common good of all
citizens” as the purpose of all
law
• To act according to the
common good is to imitate
Christ
– Jesus died for the common good

9. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
THE COMMON GOOD (continued)
• The common good:
– Is different from the collective will of the people
• A mob or crowd, motivated by greed or anger, does not rule more
wisely than dictators
– Is for the sake of persons, not for the state
– Concerns itself with material social conditions, but is not limited to
them
• If people lack God, they lack fundamental goodness, the
ultimate good common to all humanity

10. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SUBSIDIARITY
• Subsidiarity is an organizing principle in society
– Matters should be dealt with by the smallest local authority
• Some encyclicals pertain to subsidiarity
– Pope Pius XI introduced the word subsidiarity into the Church’s teaching in
Quadragesimo Anno
– Though it first appeared in Catholic social teaching, the term was adopted
by sociology, political and military science, and economics
• It places a healthy boundary for the state so that the central
authority can only interfere when local authority is not effective
• Respect for subsidiarity is the most peaceful way to oppose tyranny

11. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SOLIDARITY
• Solidarity is interdependent and inseparable from subsidiarity
• Solidarity is the principle of unity in a society that extends
beyond mere self-interest
• Catholics must practice solidarity universally
• Saint John Paul II and the Catechism note that solidarity is key
to overcoming socioeconomic problems
• Saint John Paul II’s teachings influenced the rise of labor unions
in countries controlled by communism

12. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SECONDARY PRINCIPLES
• From the four basic
principles, the Church derives
other important principles
– Catholic tradition speaks of the
universal destination of goods
• God entrusted the care of
the earth to the human
race as a whole and the
goods to be shared in
common by all

13. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SECONDARY PRINCIPLES (continued)
– Humans have the right to own
private property as long as it’s
acquired and kept legally and
morally
• Should not impede the universal
destination of goods
• The right to private property is
not absolute
– It can be altered for the
common good
– Any alterations must be
executed carefully

14. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
SECONDARY PRINCIPLES (continued)
– All principles depend on moral attitude and participation
– People take active responsibility for their roles in society
• The Church teaches that laws alone can never form a just
society; charity is necessary

15. CHAPTER 4 – The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
CONCLUSION
• The Church gives moral clarity
– Inaccessible apart from
Divine Revelation
• Christ left us an example of his
divine love and mercy by
forgiving his persecutors
• The most distinctive element
in Christian social doctrine is
self-giving love—true charity