unit 5: conscience in action - THEOLOGY (david)

what are humans created to be?

communal

what is every person made in the image and likeness of?

the Trinitarian God

(a communion of persons)

how are we social in nature?

by living in various societies or communities

what is a society?

groups bonded together by a principle of unity that goes beyond each individual

how should we enter into our communities and societies?

united in love

what key factor is essential when creating our groups?

individuality

how does man develop his potential?

- through the exchange with others

- mutual service and dialogue w/ his brethren

how do we become who we are called to be?

by loving others and being loved by others

what is the ultimate goal of a community?

common good

(aka communion with God)

through what do we discover the authentic and complete meaning of our personal and social lives?

relationship with God in order to fully understand ourselves

when did dorothy day live?

1897-1980

what did dorothy day live through?

- women's suffrage

- WW1 + 2

- civil rights movement

- nuclear weapons

was dorothy day originally catholic?

no, she converted

what was dorothy day like prior to her conversion?

- atheist

- anarchist

- socialist

- multiple marriages

- abortion

what is dorothy day known for being?

- journalist

- activist

- creating "houses of hospitality"

- founding the catholic workers movement

what stage is dorothy day on her road to canonization?

"servant of God"

what is common good?

the sum total of social conditions which allow people to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily

(can be through groups or individuals)

what does the "common" mean in common good?

for everyone

what are the 3 essential elements of the common good?

- respect for the life and dignity of EVERY person

- commitment to the social well-being and development of the group (especially by ensuring that individual's basic needs are met)

- establishment of a peaceful and just society

what are we all essentially working towards?

the common good

what are the 3 things that allow us to work towards the common good?

- founded truth

- built in justice

- animated by love

what is founded truth?

it must be rooted in OBJECTIVE reality

what is built in justice?

achieved by giving everyone what they are owed

what is animated love?

willing the good of others must be present at EVERY step

what types of truths and realities are there?

OBJECTIVE

what are the 3 different types of justice?

- communicative

- distributive

- legal

can the common good be achieved on earth?

no --> only in Heaven with Jesus

how is common good ideal even though it's not fully achievable until we reach heaven with Jesus?

it's still worth working towards as a goal

how is common good a moral measure?

it's a tool we can use to evaluate whether our choices, policies, and institutions align with the ideal

is justice naturally attainable?

yes

what is justice a good-habit balance between?

extremes

what is justice?

giving God and neighbor what they are owed

what do we owe one another through justice?

love

who should we love above all things?

God

what is religion?

render to God the worship, homage, and thanksgiving that is due to him

how should we love our neighbor?

as ourselves

what is love?

willing the true good of the other and respecting each person's rights

why should we love our neighbor?

because God created everyone with inherent dignity

what are the 2 things we use to work towards justice?

equality and equity

what is equality?

giving everyone the same

what is equity?

giving to each person what they need to achieve the SAME goal

is equality or equity more fair when reaching the same goal?

equity --> everyone is on the same level

what type of justice is commutative, distributive, and legal justice?

social justice

what is social justice?

applying the virtue of justice to society

what does social justice protect and defend?

human dignity

what does social justice work to see?

social structures and institutions on all levels providing for essential human needs and protect human rights

what does commutative justice govern?

exchanges between individuals and private social groups

is commutative reciprocal?

yes

how should both sides act in commutative justice?

with respect of the dignity of the other and responsibly fulfill their obligations

("I do something for you, you do something for me")

what types of groups is commutative justice seen in?

private groups

what does distributive justice govern?

what the greater community owes individuals based on their contribution and needs

(what we owe each other individually)

how is distributive justice distributive?

it's a just distribution of goods to individuals

(what society owes us)

is distributive justice in opposition to private ownership?

no, it requires citizens to support common needs for all

what should larger groups with more do through distributive justice?

support the needs that everyone has

what does legal justice govern?

what the individual owes the greater community through country and society

(what WE owe society)

what is legal justice typically spelled out through?

laws and legal documents

what type of justice includes your civil duty?

legal justice

are love and nice interchangable?

no

what is "nice"?

pleasant, trying to get along with and please everyone

what should you uphold through love?

everyone's dignity

what can love require when upholding everyone's dignity?

difficult conversations and consequences

what is love aimed at?

helped the other reach their full potential/fulfillment

what is the aim of justice?

to give God and neighbor what they are owed (love)

can you have love without justice?

no

(and vice versa)

what 2 actions are practical steps towards the common good when acting in love and justice?

social action and direct action

what is social action?

praying and working for long-term solutions to root causes of problems in our community and the world

what are direct actions?

giving direct help to people or families to help meet their immediate needs

where does direct action occur?

face to face

what is direct action concerned with?

the present symptoms of injustice

what does direct action focus on?

individual needs

what does direct action look for?

IMMEDITATE solutions

what does direct action provide direct service with?

temporary results

who shares with who in direct action?

those who "have" with those who "don't have"

does direct action require change in social structure (society)?

no

where is social action used for?

society as a whole

what is social action concerned with?

the underlying causes of injustice

what does social action focus on?

changing social structure

what does social action look for?

long-term solutions

what does social action provide INDIRECT help for?

permanent change

who works together in social action?

those who "have" and those who "don't have"