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.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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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.

Catholic social doctrine did not suddenly appear in the nineteenth century. Its roots reach back to the very foundations of Scripture.

In this episode, we explore the biblical vision of social life: a world shaped by justice, mercy, solidarity, and the command to love one another. From the law and the prophets to the teaching of Christ, the Bible reveals that social responsibility is not an optional extra to the Christian life. Rather, it flows directly from who God is and who we are called to become. These biblical foundations form the heart of the Church’s social teaching today.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, Pts 1-50

JPII, Mulieris Dignitatem

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 1906; 2062

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

Leviticus 19:33-34

John 13:34-35; 17:21-22

Catholic Answers, Natural Law

Happy New Year, friends! Welcome to the first episode on our next deep dive into the Social Doctrine of the Catholic church! This is an incredibly rich and important area of Catholic teaching that helps us to understand how human beings should function in societies. It covers topics such as human rights, the rights of workers, the responsibilities of employers, governments, and individuals, and the conditions necessary for human flourishing.

In today's episode, we begin with an overview of social doctrine -- what it is and why we need it -- before summarising the history of the development of social doctrine, especially during the twentieth century.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church

USCCB: Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

CBCEW

A Summary of Catholic Social Teaching

Fr Roger Charles, Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Answers:

20 Answers: Catholic Social Teaching

Does Catholic Social Teaching Change?

Are All Elements of Catholic Social Teaching Equally Important?

Broken Bay Diocese, Pope Leo XIV reveals reason behind name choice