sociology 3 lecture part 2

8/12/2019 SOCIOLOGY 3 Lecture Part 2

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(Part 2)


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Re-orientation of Concepts

Evangelization- proclamation of salvation from sin: aliberation from everything oppressive to man.It is not only seen as a seed-sowing or announcing andproclaiming mission but a matter of bringing people to anawareness of what has been planted unto them.

In short, the proclamation of the word of Godthe GoodNews

Christian liberation- implies freeing from social sin andstruggling against sinful structures.

There is no evangelization without liberation.


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Authentic DevelopmentIn the secular sense, development is understood asmaterial progress, centered on technology andeconomics.

In the Christian sense, development is the progress inthe total human person being in the world, a being forothers and for God. Total development includeseconomic, social, political and spiritual dimensions ofman.


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Structural and Social Sin- is now slowly understood asreferring to structural realities, produced by human beings,that result in the exploitation and oppression of some

sectors of the population.E.g.: hunger, poverty, unemployment etc.

In a way, social sins have intimate connection withpersonal sins( pride, selfishness, greed, hatred) because

they lead to habitual patterns of human interactionscreating sinful social structures

Some terrible effects of sinful structures seen in streetchildren, jobless, homeless, violations of human rights.


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Solidarity- it is the firm and perseveringdetermination to commit oneself to the common goodand a commitment to the good of ones neighbor withthe readiness to lose oneself.

In short, it is an expression of love of neighbor.


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Christian JusticeFrom the Old Testament: justice is the attitude or virtuethat makes one conform to the moral norm.

It consists of obedience to the laws of the Covenant.Gods justice demands:1. concern for the poor2. protection of widows and orphans3. protection of strangers4. respect for wage-earners5. attending to the condition of servants/slaves6. prohibition of lending at high interest7. avoiding giving bribes


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From the New Testament

Justice- giving to each person what is his and also

giving to him what is also yours (compassionatejustice)

In the Church tradition: justice is the habit whereby aperson renders to each one, with a constant and

perpetual will, his due or right.


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Divisions of Justice (Accdg to St Thomas)

1. Commutative Justice- applies to the relationships ofindividuals. It commands that the exchange of goods and

services take place accdg to strict quality.2. Distributive- refers to the obligation of the communityt0 the individuals. It demands equitable distribution of thebenefits and burdens of community life. (fair share),

3. Contributive justice(legal)- it obliges the members of thecommunity to comply with the demands of the commongood.

E.g.-pay equitable share of taxes, comply with sociallegislations, render military service.


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4. Social justice- requires the authorities to look intoreal situations of different groups of people in thesociety and give them their due as members of humancommunity.

It works hand in hand with other divisions of justice.


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Components of justice

1. sufficient life-goods such as shelter, clothing, health

care, skill development and work (economic rights)2. dignity of the human person

3. participation- the power of each person and peopleto shape their own destinies.

4. solidarity- corresponds to the duty of each person topromote human rights with and for others.


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Christian responsibility towards injusticeIt is not the repression of bad people that hurts, it is the silenceof the good.Silence and indifference are considered unchristian and a sin ofomission.Christian responsibility for justice demands:1. awareness of the root causes of injustice

Causes of injustice:a. super abundance of a few nations and groups of peopleb. indifference and passivity of the poor nationsc. sinful attitudes and deeds that create oppressive structures

2. condemnation of injustice-3. conversion- effective witnessing for justice


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Option for the Human PersonMan is the fundamental norm, center and crown, author and subject ofall social institutions.He is more precious for what he is than what he has.

Nature and root of human dignity:1. created accdg to the image and likeness of God2. man is lord of all creations and has the responsibility to developcreated things.3. he is destined to be with his creator.

4. man is an embodied spirit.5. man has the innate capacity to do what is good and just.6. he is endowed with reason and intellect.7. man has free will.8. he is both individual and social by nature.


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Preferential Option for the Poor

Option- does not mean an alternative, but rather a

decision and commitment in favor of the poorPreferential- choice of the poor as priority of Christianwitnessing to justice and solidarity

Option for the poor- is to love the poor which means

living for and with them, lending a helping hand,giving service where needed, being just, honest, pure,gentle, truthful and kind to them.


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Demands of the option for the poor

1. true solidarity with the poor- living for the poor, with thepoor, and like the poor implies a practice of poverty in

spirit, living a simple lifestyle sober and austere.

2. denunciation and struggle against injustice andoppression

3. conscientization of the poor- an appeal to the poor to

work for a change in their own socio-political situation

4. organization of the poor

5. commitment to the integral liberation of the poor


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Commitment of the Church

The Church stands for justice and has the duty to

fight oppression.The Church should shower greater love for those whoneed it most.


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The Church and Human Rights

Promotion of human rights is central to the ministry of theChurch. It is part of evangelization.

Respect for human rights is a pre-requisite for peace andlinked with the need to transform social, political andeconomic structures.

Human rights- those fundamental rights of human beingsessential for the exercise of human dignity.

The rights are to things, powers or privileges to whichindividuals have a just claim or are entitled to, under thenatural law as a consequence of their being human.


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2 Kinds of Rights

1. Natural rights- rights of the human person or his

power to claim something that does not come fromsociety but from human nature itself. They exist priorto any human organization/institution.

2. Legal rights- rights spelled out by positive national

or international laws. They are granted to citizens bythe government, which in no case could go against thetrue spiritual and natural claims of the human person.


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Relationship of rights and duties

The fundamental correlation between rights andduties is manifested in two stages:

1. first stage- occurs when the possessor is consciousof his rights and equally aware of his duties and theobligation to discharge these duties.

E.g. right to life, duty to preserve it; right to private

property, duty to use for the common good. 2. second stage- comes in the relationship that exists

between the right of one person and obligation ofothers to recognize and respect it.


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The Issue of Death PenaltyThe attitude of the Church is based on moral, ethical, religious and social grounds.

Various arguments:1. it is not the only solution

In Evangelum Vitae John Paul ll states that the nature and extent of the punishment must carefully evaluated and decided upon and oughtnot to go to the extreme of executing the offender except when there is no other way to defend society.

Violence is not the solution but the clearest sign of a failureWe cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing.

2. justice for the victims???The loved ones of the victims continue to cope with grief even after the execution of the criminal.Feelings are universal and both parties experience the pain and grief of losing someone they love.

When a person is dead it is not actually him who is punished but the people who love him.

3. the deterrence factorThe imposition of death penalty cannot free once and for all any society of a heinous crimes.What is needed is the reform of law enforcement and justice system so that speedy justice can be meted to all offender of the law especiallyto great offenders regardless of economic and social status.

4. retribution or vindictiveness

5. possibility of reform and rehabilitation6. possibility of error and defects in the justice system7.unfair and discriminatory8. the barbarity of violence9 principle of totality


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Rights of WomenThe issue of women is a special concern of the Church inthe Philippines:

1. The unique contribution of Filipino women in theevangelizing mission of the Church2. The various forms of sexual discrimination andexploitation that women experience.Discrimination in the Philippine setting

1. Political participation of women?2. In the field of labor and migration3. Trafficking and violence4. Reproduction and health


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Christian Feminism- calls for union among all personsregardless of age, race, religion, and social status anddoes not exclude anybody. It aims to create truesolidarity in the human community regardless of sex.

Feminism- stands for the struggle for equal rights ofwomen in all levels in the present socio-culturalsystem, wherein men enjoy dominant role.


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Rights of Children

Child- a person below 18 yrs of age or one over said age andwho, upon evaluation of a physician, psychologist or

psychiatrist, is found to be incapable of taking care ofhimself fully because of physical or mental disability orcondition of protecting himself from abuse.

Child abuse: physical

moral and verbal

child labor

sexual


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The Problem of Migrant WorkersMigrant workers- are persons who are to be engaged, or havebeen engaged in a remunerated activity in a country of whichthey are not nationals.

Reasons for labor migration:1. massive poverty and underdevelopment and or unemploymentand under-employment.2. migration mentality3. political choice of the government to consider migration as

part of economic development4. the demographic factor- population growth versus availabilityof jobsConsequence: It separates, splits, detaches, and segregates themember of the family, creating a dysfunctional family life.


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The Role of the Church in Economics

The aim of economy does not lie in mere technology,profitability and material happiness, rather its aim liesin the substantial and assured creation of materialconditions to enable individuals and entities develophuman dignity.

Economic decisions are moral decisions that affecthuman beings- they should be carried out humanelyand morally.


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The Church has the following principles in the face of thegrowing poverty and economic difficulties:

1. The economy exists for the person, not the person for theeconomy.

2. All economic life should be shaped by moral principles.

3. All people have the right to life and secure basic necessities oflife.

4. All people have the right to economic initiative-

productive work, just wages and benefits, decent workingconditions.

5. Society has a moral obligation to assure opportunity,

meet basic human needs and pursue justice in economic life.


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Dignity of Human WorkWork- any activity of the human person, whether manual orintellectual, through which he produces something new for hisperfection.

It is a social activity through which we realize and develop ourco-humanity.The Churchs Social teaching understands work in two(2) senses:1. objective sense- refers to the products that result from human

activity making use of the materials from the earth and seas as

well as the technology that man uses.2. subjective sense- refers to the human person who works.Man, the worker is of much value and importance than the

object produced.


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The Church gives emphasis to the subjective sense, that is man, theworker.

Ethical principles relative to mans life in economics:

1. Work is for man, not man for work. Man is always the purpose ofwork.

There are three spheres where man is developed as subject of work:

a. personal sphere- the worker achieves fulfillment as human being inhis work, without it, he achieves nothing.

b. family sphere- work makes family, the first school of work, possible.It is where man provides for his family, thereby, parents educate theirchildren making them appreciate the necessity and nobility of work.

c. sphere of society- it is through work that citizens of the nations helpin the development of the nation


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2. The priority of labor over capital

Labor- the vast majority of people who do not own themeans of production but have only their hands toparticipate in production.

Capital- refers to the few influential groups who ownthe means and instruments of production.

The worker must never be treated as mere instrumentof production, nor a commodity to be sold and boughtin accordance with law of supply and demand.


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Christian obligation to work

Work is a normal way to self-preservation, it isthrough it that man satisfies his material needs andthe needs of those entrusted to him.

Thus, work is not only a human right, but anobligation a duty to work.


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Rights of Workers1. Right to work or employment- this follows from thenature of human existence, for through it, man realizes hiscapacities. The obligation to earn ones bread presumes theright to work.The right to employment today has become problematicbecause of the alliance of both the seen and unseenemployers( Laborem Exercens):a. direct employer- the capitalist with whom the workerpersonally makes contactb. indirect employer- all forces that influence or makeeconomic policies and activities of the nation that result inthe increase or decrease of employment opportunities.


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2. Right to a just wageJust wage the barometer of the justness or injustice of givensociety. It promotes a peaceful relationship between employerand worker.

Determinants of a just wageIn the past, wage contract is the sole determinant of wages.The Social Teaching advocates consideration of the life-needs ofthe workers.In determining a just wage, a set of criteria was laid down:

a. family wage- salary given to head of the family, sufficientenough for the needs of the family without the other spousetaking a gainful employment outside the home. It covers thedecent needs of a family- worthy home, sufficient food, normaleducation and relaxation.


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b. contribution of the worker in the economic effort

This is based on commutative justice- where a worker receive awage corresponding to the service he renders and energy spent

c. national common good: state of enterprise and country

d. universal common good The minimum wage- a duty of the state

Minimum wage- is the least amount of salary an employer isobliged to give, below which he can not go without violating thelaw.

This is promulgated by the state through legislation.

The purpose of this is to guarantee the worker of, at least theminimum standard of living.


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An employer paying the minimum wage that is immorally too law isdefinitely following the civil law, but be going against the moral law.

Right to humanizing conditions of workThe working environment must be such that physical health is notendangered and morals are safeguarded.

Children are not to be incorporated into the working process untilthey have sufficiently matured in body, mind and spirit.Women have the right to working conditions in accordance with theirduties as wives and mothers.Long hours of work beyond endurance of human strength must beavoided.

Right to rest and recreation must be respected.


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Social security must be in place in the workingenvironment.The workers participation in planning the productionprocess is encouraged.

Right to unionismMan has the natural right to join others and formassociations. They are indispensable means to protect the

workers rights and dignity and fulfill a vital role in thedevelopment of a nation.Concomitant with the right of membership in a union, isthe right of members to participate in whatever positiveactivities of the organization without fear of negativerepercussions.


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Importance of workers associations

1. It serves as a weapon of self-defense against injustices ofemployers.

2. Unions serve as instrument of education for members.

3. Unions promote workers interest by bringing aboutbetter wages and profit-sharing.

4. Unions help to develop a sense of loyalty to and identitywith the enterprise.

5. It helps in the implementation of labor and social laws.

6. Workers through unions improve legislation.


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Limitations of unionism

Unionism is not an absolute right, it is limited by thehigher and more basic rights of religious, moral, andpolitical freedom.

Unions means of action

1. Collective bargaining- the process where byrepresentatives from both the union and managementcome together to negotiate a compromise on issues of

wages and benefits.2. Strike as a means of protest- it is the refusal to work onthe part of the organized workers to pressure the employerto recognize their demands.


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Forms of strike1. direct strike- is one carried out against an enterprise in which the

workers are primarily employed and is the source of grievances of theworkers.

2. sympathy strike- that which is called in support of a direct strike inanother enterprise.3. work slowdown- is the deliberate lessening of the rate of productionbelow the minimum levels set by the management.4. work stoppage- complete cessation of production, but with thepresence of workers in the place of work during normal working

hours.4. picketing- consists of groups of workers marching to and fro beforethe business establishment, generally with placards, portraying theissues of strike.5. boycott- organized refusal to deal with a particular business


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Morality of strikes- since they result in inconveniences tothe industry, workers, and sometimes the public, it mustfollow conditions to be morally justifiable:

1. Strike must be for a just cause.

2. The condition necessitates that the good expected from itshould be greater than its negative consequence.

3. All other means must be exhausted before engaging intoa strike.

4. Condition sees to it that there should be a reasonablehope of success.

5. The means employed must be morally acceptable.


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The Church and IdeologiesIdeologies- are sets of doctrines, assertions and intentions of asocial or political movement that promotes their ideas throughto a concerted action.

3 aspects of ideologies:1. it offers a view of the various aspects of life.2. this view expresses the aspirations, justifications, values andinterest and longings of a particular groupor class in society.

3. the aspirations incite the group to action.Common ideologies: Capitalism

CommunismSocialism


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Liberal Capitalism- has four main tenets:

1. profit motive- this is the motivating factor of theeconomy.

2. unlimited private ownership

3. the main principle of free and unrestrictedcompetition

4. non-interference of the State in economic matters(laissez faire or let alone policy)


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Communism or Marxist Socialism

It adheres to the principle of economic determinism orthe materialistic interpretation of history.

It believes that human history is a continuous strugglefor wealth and holds that private property and theconcentration of wealth in the hands of the few are the

driving forces behind the meager social progress andindividual development.

Private ownership must be abolished and replaced bycollective ownership of land and means of production.


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Moderate Socialism- it differs from communism in thesense that it mitigates, to some extent, class warfareand abolition of private ownership.

It allows private ownership, reserving only to the Statecertain forms of ownership of properties that are bigand vital which if left to individuals would give thempower that could threaten the common good.


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Catholic Social Doctrine and the IdeologiesOn CapitalismThe concept of profit is irreconcilable with the Gospel.Material prosperity taken as the be-all in life makes one forget

other values and degrades human being.Making unlimited free competition is like condemning the weakto death.Unlimited private ownership condemns most of humanity tohunger and poverty by way of the following: economicdomination(monopolies), and economic imperialism.

The Church sees it inimical for the interests of the masses if theState does not intervene in matters of the economy


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On Communism

Christians must be vigilant over the things that thisideology preaches.

Communist socialism adheres to relentless class strugglemaking it an essential law.

What promotes armed struggle is moral can not beaccepted.

Collectivization of property leads to stagnation of theeconomy.

Communism is also condemned because of its atheisticstance.


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On moderate socialism

There is curtailment of individual freedom andinitiative by the socialistic state.

Labor or human factor of production is state-controlled.

Power is in the hands of politicians who are not

economists.Atheism, crass materialism and loss of individualfreedom are irreconcilable with Christian faith.


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Nature of Politics

The norm of excellence and lifes enjoyment is VIRTUE

Without it, our senses would not be far from the world

of instincts.The grounds for our judgment of excellence are humangrounds: capable of direction, mastery andresponsibility. Thus, to be virtuous is to be human.

Since a persons life involves encounter with otherpersons in the course of his living, he may either be aninfluence or being influenced by other persons. No lifeis purely individual.


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Politics is an organized work of human beings that cannot but affect the lives of neighbors but even those indistant shores and those who are yet to come to this

world.Politics- from the word polis- meaning a city.

It is a system of influence, of power, of control.

Scriptural Foundation: All authority and power comesfrom God. Everyone is invited to share in this power.

The Gospels are not mere stories, teachings of JesusChrist, they were the communitys experience of Jesus.


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The Teachings of the Church

Political life is one that fosters inner sense of justice,benevolence and service for the common good and

strengthens basic beliefs about true nature of thepolitical community, about the exercise and limits ofpublic authority.

Scope of Politics

Octogesima Adveniens describes politics as thescience and art of directing the affairs of publicinterest and whose main interest is the exercise ofpower.


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Source and end of politics

The source of politics is the people. Since the people havehuman dignity, politics emanate from that dignity. Thus

the root of politics is human dignity.Political community exists for the common good.

Common good is based on the consideration that sincehuman being is part of the family and of the State, that

which can be good for him is also good for all. And that

good which is common to all is human dignity.Common good embraces the sum of those conditions ofsocial life by which individuals, families or groups canachieve their own fulfillment in a thorough and ready way.


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Pacem in Terris- stressed that the common goodconsiders the good of the whole person, gives attentionto the less fortunate and promotes material and

spiritual welfare for all.Mater et magistra- specified the demands of thecommon good:

1. provision of employment and wage

2. proper care of less privileged3. provision for the future of individuals and families


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Political Authority and Participation

Civil authority- in abstract, authority originates fromGod. Concretely, it emanates from the people, thesubject of authority.

The person in authority over the state consequentlyhas been invested with authority by the people.

The common good can not be achieved unless there isstability of authority.


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Rights and duties of civil authority

1. Authority must assist and provide the family, social orcultural groups their own lawful and effective activities and

promote rights willingly and in orderly fashion.2. The authorities are required to intervene in social andeconomic affairs to attain human fulfillment.

3. When rights are temporarily curtailed on behalf of thecommon good, it should be restored as quickly as possible.

4.Government ought to allow the rights of all persons,families and associations, along with the exercise of thoserights, be recognized, honored and fostered (Principle ofSubsidiarity).


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5. Authorities must provide material and spiritualservices that the common good requires.

6. Authority must observe the standard for respect for

the differences of perspectives and expressions of theconstituents.

Rights and duties of citizens

1. Citizens should develop generous and loyal devotion

for their country2. They should give witness to their sense of duty andservice towards the advancement of the commongood.


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3. They should recognize conflicting views in the pursuit ofaffairs but human dignity is the binding force of thosedifferences.4. They should respect fellow citizens when they promote

conflicting views.5. Political parties should foster the common good.

Relations between and among StatesEvery State has the right to existence, self-government, self-development and to be primarily responsible for itsdevelopment.

Authentic peace and prosperity among nations is foundednot on equality of arms but on free and mutual trust.


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Church and State Relations

Is the Church subordinate to the State or vice versa?

Is there really the separation of the Church and State?

The Church is the guardian of the spiritual and moraldimensions of life while the State is in charge of thetemporal welfare of all. Both exist because of Godscreative and salvific act. As such, they are meant for

harmony in the service of all human beings.The State is duty-bound to be responsible for the

promotion of socio-political order, economic stability,religious freedom and ecological balance.


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There are actions of the State which have moral andreligious dimensions. The Church being the interpreter ofthe Divine law therefore has some kind of ascendancy oversuch actions of the State.The influence of the Church upon the State concerns thefollowing: enactments of human rights

family life

birth control

justice and peaceglobal solidarity

religious freedom

sociology 3 lecture part 2

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