Communitarianism and the social doctrine of the Church (SDC) have a lot of common conceptual bases and common principles. According to the writings of the scientists from the field, communitarianism as a new philosophy and a new social movement has an important and positive influence on the society and the democracy. The principles and values it contains (community, dignity and metaphysical nature of a human being, the importance of historical memory, traditional values, dialogue, solidarity, subsidiarity, rejecting excessive individualism, common good, the significance of culture, etc.) are the foundations, which are needed by a modern secularized and consumer society very much.
If we quote Berdjajev (1999, 108): »Human will, will of the people is rooted in evil, and when this will, which confirms itself, is not subject to anything higher and is not enlightened, but wants to decide self-sustainingly on the fate of the human society, it can go astray to the path of the persecution of the truth, denying any right and suffocation of every freedom of the spirit.«
Since the first Social Encyclical of the Pope Leo XIII, SDC developed in the direction of a human being in all his ontological, anthropological, social, ecological, and to the largest extent, spiritual savior needs.
Popes in all the encyclicals set the concern about the human being, religious and communion life with the goal of salvation, the significance of the family, the significance of honesty in commercial relationships, the significance of work and honest payment, and inalienability of private property. Gosar, who knew the social doctrine of the Church very well, is sure that a Christian is – more than others – obliged to cooperate in forming earthly realities. If we summarize, the Church and its functioning represent a source of blessing for the humanity.
An open question remains, who and how should implement the values of communitarianism in the society which rejects the community, common good and genuine dialogue. Active participation is also the task given by the Gospel and the SDC, which is little known and even less fulfilled by Christians. We leave this question opened and unquestioned. We are happy for those who will find the answers and methods for the implementation of these great values in the society.
Purpose: By means of the master’s thesis we wished to study scientifically the SDC and communitarianism, which share a lot of common principles and can contribute importantly to the operations of the modern society and democracy.
Methods of work: We used the descriptive method of work, the compilation method and the method of interview.
Analysis of interviews showed that SDC is exceptionally important for the dignity of a human being, social and cultural functioning. It is insufficiently known in the Church, and in politics and in the society among lay Christians. The unity of Europe will not be built only by institutions. It will be built by the change of the spirit. Christianity who marked the foundations of Europe was Christianity in service to others. Christianity should preserve its central savior posture instead of claiming privileges for itself; it is salt and yeast of the world.
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