Unit 5 study guide theology

Key Terms and Concepts

  1. Equity

    • Equity means fairness in treatment, recognizing that different people have different needs and circumstances. It involves giving people what they need to achieve equal outcomes, which may require unequal distribution of resources or opportunities.

  2. Equality

    • Equality means treating everyone the same, giving everyone the same resources or opportunities regardless of their starting point or needs.

  3. Catholic Social Teaching (CST)

    • A body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church that addresses social, political, and economic issues with a focus on human dignity, justice, and the common good.

  4. Justice

    • Justice is giving each person what they are due, respecting their rights and dignity. It involves fairness and moral rightness in relationships and society.

  5. The Judgment Parable

    • A parable from the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46) where Jesus teaches that how we treat the least among us is how we treat Him. It emphasizes care for the marginalized as a measure of justice.

  6. Retributive Justice

    • Justice focused on punishment for wrongdoing, ensuring that offenders receive penalties proportionate to their crimes.

  7. Restorative Justice

    • Justice focused on healing, reconciliation, and repairing harm caused by wrongdoing, involving victims, offenders, and the community.

  8. Social Justice

    • Justice applied to society as a whole, ensuring fair distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges.

  9. Rene Girard

    • A French philosopher and anthropologist known for his Mimetic Theory, which explains human desire and conflict.

  10. Mimetic Theory

    • Girard’s theory that human desires are imitated from others, leading to rivalry and conflict.

  11. Mimetic Desire

    • The desire to have what others have because we imitate their wants.

  12. Mimetic Rivalry

    • Conflict that arises when two or more people desire the same thing, leading to competition and often violence.

  13. Scapegoat Mechanism

    • A social process where a community projects its conflicts and tensions onto a person or group, blaming them to restore peace temporarily.

  14. Injustice

    • The absence or violation of justice; unfairness or denial of rights.

  15. The Themes of CST

    • Key themes include:

      • Life and Dignity of the Human Person

      • Call to Family, Community, and Participation

      • Rights and Responsibilities

      • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

      • The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

      • Solidarity

      • Care for God’s Creation

  16. St. Francis of Assisi

    • A saint known for his deep respect for all creation and commitment to poverty and peace.

  17. Bartolome de las Casas

    • A 16th-century Spanish priest and advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Americas.

  18. Leo XIII (Encyclical)

    • Pope Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum (1891), addressing workers’ rights and the conditions of labor during the Industrial Revolution.

  19. Pius XI (Encyclical)

    • Pope Pius XI wrote Quadragesimo Anno (1931), expanding on social justice and the principle of subsidiarity.

  20. Solidarity

    • Unity and mutual support within a group, especially among people with common interests or goals, emphasizing that we are all responsible for each other.

  21. Subsidiarity

    • The principle that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, empowering individuals and smaller communities rather than centralized authorities.

  22. The Personalistic Norm

    • The principle that human beings should always be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as means to an end.

  23. The Central Question of Moral Theology

    • Typically: "What ought I to do?" or "How should I live?" focusing on the moral decisions that respect human dignity and promote the common good.

Possible Short Answers

  1. What does justice look like in the world? What does injustice look like?

    • Justice looks like fairness, respect for human dignity, and equal access to rights and opportunities. It involves caring for the vulnerable and ensuring everyone can flourish.

    • Injustice looks like inequality, oppression, discrimination, and denial of rights, where some are marginalized or exploited.

  2. What is Rene Girard’s Mimetic Theory, and how does it explain why we are unjust to each other?

    • Mimetic Theory states that people imitate each other’s desires, leading to rivalry and conflict when multiple people want the same thing. This rivalry can escalate into violence or injustice as people compete and scapegoat others to resolve tensions.

  3. Pick one of the Themes of CST and explain it.

    • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: This theme calls for special attention to those who are marginalized or in need. It emphasizes that a just society prioritizes the well-being of the poor and vulnerable, reflecting God’s love for all.

  4. Define and explain why solidarity is important to CST.

    • Solidarity means standing together and supporting one another as members of one human family. It is important because it fosters a sense of responsibility for others, promoting social cohesion and justice.

  5. Define and explain why Subsidiarity is important to CST.

    • Subsidiarity holds that decisions should be made at the lowest competent level, empowering individuals and communities. It prevents unnecessary centralization and respects human dignity by encouraging participation.

  6. Why is the Judgment Parable so important to CST?

    • The Judgment Parable teaches that how we treat the least among us reflects our justice and relationship with God. It underscores CST’s call to care for the marginalized as a central moral duty.

  7. What is the difference between equality and equity, and why are both important for a full understanding of justice?

    • Equality means giving everyone the same resources or opportunities. Equity means giving people what they need based on their circumstances to achieve fairness. Both are important because equality ensures fairness in treatment, while equity addresses fairness in outcomes, making justice more comprehensive.