The whole of Catholic social doctrine rests on the answer to the question: What is a human being?

In this episode, we discuss human nature and human dignity. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What makes human beings unique in comparison with the rest of nature? Do human beings have a particular dignity, or are we just intelligent animals?

Understanding what a human person is helps us to see why human beings must always be at the centre of every society.

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠, pts 105-134

Catechism of the Catholic Church, pt 357

John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis

Jose Angel Lombo and Francesco Russo, Philosophical Anthropology: An Introduction

Hot Fuzz, dir. Edgar Wright

Also, for anyone who teaches English or Philosophy, I recommend the play Juniper Blood, by Mike Bartlett. The plot basically revolves around the question of how to balance our responsibility to the planet with our responsibilities to the people closest to us. The question 'what is a human being?' is really at the heart of the play. Highly recommended as a text for students (mature students -- the play contains a few sexual references and depictions of drug use), super relevant to the questions we're exploring in this episode.