SOCIAL JUSTICE pp. 243-254

Recall: Virtues A virtue is a “habit of firm disposition to do the good” – C.C.C. 1803 2 categories: Theological Virtues – come from God: Faith, Hope and Charity (Love) Cardinal Virtues – origin in human nature: Prudence, fortitude, temperance, justice etc.

Cardinal Virtues: Cardinal virtues are good habits we can master by human effort. Many other virtues derive from the four cardinal virtues. Justice “disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships, the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and the common good” - C.C.C. 1807

What Is Justice? Justice is a virtue that enables us to give to God what is rightfully due to God and to others what is rightfully due to them. It can take on many forms: legal justice, distributive justice, commutative justice

Types of Justice Commutative Justice – the contractual relationships between individuals and institutions (business relationship)

Legal Justice – the relationship of the individual to society Legal Justice – the relationship of the individual to society. It also is call contributive justice. It involves obeying laws and participating in the legal process

Distributive Justice – relationship of government/society to individuals. (the good of citizenship, security and public assistance, economic etc.)

Social Justice Social justice applies the Gospel of Jesus to society’s structures, systems and laws so people’s rights are guaranteed. The Hebrew prophets also announced God’s special love for the poor. It ensures that persons have a fair say in social, economic and political institutions, thus fulfilling their duty to give back to the larger community.

Rights Rights are the things in society to which we are entitled. These entitlements are based on human dignity itself, such as people being entitled to food, shelter, work, safety and security of person etc.

Common Good The common good comprises “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their more fully and easily fulfillment” – C.C.C. 1924 We should all pursue the common good and support those institutions which help to promote this good – C.C.C 1926

Things To Look At In The Text Read “The Distribution of Wealth in Canada in 2000” pg. 249 Read “The Social Doctrines of the Church” pg. 250 Read “Market forces and the Common Good” and “Taxation – A Tool of Distributive Justice” pg. 254

Things To Look At In The Text Read “The Landowner and the Workers” pg. 255-256 Read “Economic Activity and Social Justice” pg. 256-257