Comparing Aristotle's Philosophy And Catholic Social Teaching
10/08/2014.
WALTER TURLI
Business Ethics
Dr. Darrell Arnold
Aristotle 's philosophy + Catholic Social Teaching
Aristotle is basically the first principle that focuses on the changeless and the discerning of the self-evidence that form the basis of all knowledge. Aristotle use logic as his main tool for inquiry. He also went further and found that syllogism is the main sequence that all logic thoughts follow. Following his teacher Plato, Aristotle argued that the goodness or a virtue of a thing lay basically in the realization of its specific nature. Aristotelian system majorly it focused on the reality of an individual. Aristotle bring about two important virtues that he said they are of great help to bring about the goodness in an individual, …show more content…
these virtues are intellectuality of an individual and moral behavior o an individual. He argues strongly and very vividly that well being of humans it is not the pursuit for pleasure but rather the pursuit of the good. Aristotle explains further that humans in their pursuit for good, through their intellectual life, they naturally form political associations, which they explore greatly in them.
The common good became one of the foundations of catholic social teachings. One of the earliest literature and references that addressed the concept of the common good is found in the Epistle of Barnabas that states that "Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already [fully] justified, but gather instead to seek together the common good." The concept was presented to Augustine, and with his Political mind, Augustine studied the topic and he was determine to answer the question that I whether he pursuit for pleasure is connected in the pursuit for the good of all people in the society? His answer was an emphatic yes. According with the understanding of Augustine’s on the concept of the common good, it was taken up strongly with the catholic believers, and under the influence of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, develop his concept on the subject of the common good, which was embraced greatly and became the standard in the moral of the Roman Catholic theology.
As the concept of the common good became the background of the modern tradition of catholic social teaching, it helps them to solve the matter about the conditions of industrial workers in Europe, by the help of Pope Leo XIII.
Pope Leo used the foundational documents that addressed the topic of the common good and was able t help the workers to have their rights. In his letter pope Leo guaranteed workers the right to private property and insisting strongly on the role of the state to require a living wage. Also with this concept the Roman Catholic have been able t tacle other great issues in the political arena. Pope John Paul II issued a document addressing the relaxation on the moral norms and the political corruption that affect millions of people. In his letter pope john addresses the characteristics that all politicians should embrace including truthfulness, honesty, fairness, temperance and solidarity. The common good has been further been discussed in forums and it has been summarized, and as well been given some statements that gives the concept even more strength. These statements are; the common good is for all people and the whole person also, a person cannot find fulfillment by himself or by herself, the fulfillment is found with
others.
The convergence of Aristotle theology and thoughts and that of catholic social teachings can be seen and be experience since they are not limited to the political society and authority but to the entire well being of all humans. The catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and healthy community can be achieved if only human rights are protected and responsibilities are taken.
Catholic social teaching they are governed with pillars of their teachings. Their teachings must focus on these pillars in order to promote truth, justice, charity and compassion. One of the quotes that encourage these pillars is that of Dorothy Day which states that we love God as much as the one you love the least. One of the pillars is primary of the person; this majorly focuses on the life and dignity of a human person. John Paul II stated that human beings are created in Gods image and hence their dignity does not come from what they do but from persons they are. The second pillar is Common Good, this is a call to family, community and participation, and it also focuses on the option for the poor and the vulnerable. The third pillar is Subsidiarity this pillar is majorly on laws, rights and responsibilities. The catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and healthy community can be achieved if only human rights are protected and responsibilities are taken. The last the fourth pillar which is solidarity, demands that we are brothers and sisters keeper. Whether our social background or our ethnicity or our race or our nationality but that all human beings are one big family and therefore we should aspire to spread peace as the gospel teaches.
The Immokalee workers do provide a good platform through which Aristotle’s concept of common good and Catholic’s social teaching based on subsidiarity and solidarity can be understood. Immokalee workers is a worker-based human rights organization that is focused on push for social responsibility, stop to human trafficking and of gender equality. In its push for this agenda, this group argues that such rights are necessary because they are widely accepted by the society as good.
References
1. Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Science, and Social Policy: Supplement, Volume 3. Michael L. Coulter Richard S. Myers Joseph A. Varacalli - April 5, 2012. Scarecrow Press - Publisher
2. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/
3. Britannica Online Encyclopedia http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/34560/Aristotle 4. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle/
WALTER TURLI
Business Ethics
Dr. Darrell Arnold
Aristotle 's philosophy + Catholic Social Teaching
Aristotle is basically the first principle that focuses on the changeless and the discerning of the self-evidence that form the basis of all knowledge. Aristotle use logic as his main tool for inquiry. He also went further and found that syllogism is the main sequence that all logic thoughts follow. Following his teacher Plato, Aristotle argued that the goodness or a virtue of a thing lay basically in the realization of its specific nature. Aristotelian system majorly it focused on the reality of an individual. Aristotle bring about two important virtues that he said they are of great help to bring about the goodness in an individual, …show more content…
these virtues are intellectuality of an individual and moral behavior o an individual. He argues strongly and very vividly that well being of humans it is not the pursuit for pleasure but rather the pursuit of the good. Aristotle explains further that humans in their pursuit for good, through their intellectual life, they naturally form political associations, which they explore greatly in them.
The common good became one of the foundations of catholic social teachings. One of the earliest literature and references that addressed the concept of the common good is found in the Epistle of Barnabas that states that "Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already [fully] justified, but gather instead to seek together the common good." The concept was presented to Augustine, and with his Political mind, Augustine studied the topic and he was determine to answer the question that I whether he pursuit for pleasure is connected in the pursuit for the good of all people in the society? His answer was an emphatic yes. According with the understanding of Augustine’s on the concept of the common good, it was taken up strongly with the catholic believers, and under the influence of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, develop his concept on the subject of the common good, which was embraced greatly and became the standard in the moral of the Roman Catholic theology.
As the concept of the common good became the background of the modern tradition of catholic social teaching, it helps them to solve the matter about the conditions of industrial workers in Europe, by the help of Pope Leo XIII.
Pope Leo used the foundational documents that addressed the topic of the common good and was able t help the workers to have their rights. In his letter pope Leo guaranteed workers the right to private property and insisting strongly on the role of the state to require a living wage. Also with this concept the Roman Catholic have been able t tacle other great issues in the political arena. Pope John Paul II issued a document addressing the relaxation on the moral norms and the political corruption that affect millions of people. In his letter pope john addresses the characteristics that all politicians should embrace including truthfulness, honesty, fairness, temperance and solidarity. The common good has been further been discussed in forums and it has been summarized, and as well been given some statements that gives the concept even more strength. These statements are; the common good is for all people and the whole person also, a person cannot find fulfillment by himself or by herself, the fulfillment is found with
others.
The convergence of Aristotle theology and thoughts and that of catholic social teachings can be seen and be experience since they are not limited to the political society and authority but to the entire well being of all humans. The catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and healthy community can be achieved if only human rights are protected and responsibilities are taken.
Catholic social teaching they are governed with pillars of their teachings. Their teachings must focus on these pillars in order to promote truth, justice, charity and compassion. One of the quotes that encourage these pillars is that of Dorothy Day which states that we love God as much as the one you love the least. One of the pillars is primary of the person; this majorly focuses on the life and dignity of a human person. John Paul II stated that human beings are created in Gods image and hence their dignity does not come from what they do but from persons they are. The second pillar is Common Good, this is a call to family, community and participation, and it also focuses on the option for the poor and the vulnerable. The third pillar is Subsidiarity this pillar is majorly on laws, rights and responsibilities. The catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and healthy community can be achieved if only human rights are protected and responsibilities are taken. The last the fourth pillar which is solidarity, demands that we are brothers and sisters keeper. Whether our social background or our ethnicity or our race or our nationality but that all human beings are one big family and therefore we should aspire to spread peace as the gospel teaches.
The Immokalee workers do provide a good platform through which Aristotle’s concept of common good and Catholic’s social teaching based on subsidiarity and solidarity can be understood. Immokalee workers is a worker-based human rights organization that is focused on push for social responsibility, stop to human trafficking and of gender equality. In its push for this agenda, this group argues that such rights are necessary because they are widely accepted by the society as good.
References
1. Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Science, and Social Policy: Supplement, Volume 3. Michael L. Coulter Richard S. Myers Joseph A. Varacalli - April 5, 2012. Scarecrow Press - Publisher
2. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/
3. Britannica Online Encyclopedia http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/34560/Aristotle 4. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle/