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SOCIOLOGY 3

Socio Cultural Dimension


Prof. Ma Corazon T. Unas
Institute of Religion

Man tends to ask the whys 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
Gods 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 capacitiesnatural 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 use and develop 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 himselfGOD did.
Doctrine:
1. man is the highest of Gods 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 mans 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 Churchs social mission is to save
man in his totality- which includes both sociopolitical and mystical dimensions of mans 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 based 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 Christs 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 workers rights. It is
considered the Magna Carta of the
Churchs Social Doctine.

2. Quadragessimo Anno- (The


Reconstruction of Social Order) 1931
Pope Pius XI wrote this on the 40 th
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
worlds 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 Popes reflections on the
Churchs 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 XIIIs 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 ones 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 ones home
which serves as an extension of oneself

3. Right to property- right to the


exclusive control over ones possession.
Control means the right to acquire, use,
consume and dispose of ones 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 ones way of life- right to


choose ones 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
ones 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.

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