| 1. The Principle of Human Dignity Every person is worthy of respect. Qualities of a person, either positive or negative, do not change that fact that a person deserves respect. Simply being human establishes a person’s dignity. This principle of human dignity gives a person a claim of membership to a community. |
I believe in this principle because we are all people created in God’s image and likeness. People deserve other people’s respect just for the fact that they are people. |
| 2. The Principle of Respect of Respect for Human Life Human life at every stage of that life is worthy of protection and respect. It is always wrong to attack an innocent human life. |
I deeply believe in this principle. No matter what that situation is, human life needs to be upheld with utmost dignity. For this I believe abortion is wrong because a human life is being killed. I also believe capital punishment is wrong because people on death row are not dangerous to harming other people if they are kept behind bars. So their death is unnecessary. |
| 3. The Principle of Association A person is not only sacred but is also social. How a person participates in society affects his or her human dignity and capacity to grow as an individual. A stable family is the very root of society and must be protected. |
I also believe in this principle because a person will have a hard time growing to his or her full potential if they are isolated from a stable environment. People with trouble at home have a lot of problems socially later in life. |
| 4. The Principle of Participation People have the right and duty to participate in society. This participation is essential to human fulfillment. Work is an example of how a person participates in society and with God’s creation. |
I believe in this principle because in my opinion a person glorifies God through his or her interaction with other people. If a person doesn’t participate, this wouldn’t be possible. |
| 5. The Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable The poor and vulnerable need to be put first in order for society to benefit. If the poor and vulnerable are forgotten by the rich and powerful, society will split into two separate groups. |
I also believe in this principle. It is our duty as people to take care of other people. If a person has a social or financial advantage over another person, they should try their best to assist the other person to reach their full potential. In our current society, I feel this is a huge issue. We do not take care of our poor and vulnerable like we are obligated to. |
| 6. The Principle of Solidarity People should practice the virtue of loving one’s neighbor. Practicing the principle of solidarity leads to choices that will promote and protect the common good. |
I absolutely believe in this principle. Love is the one thing that binds humans together. By loving a neighbor, our conscience would guide us to make the moral decision if any sort of conflict would arise. Love truly does lead society towards the preservation of the common good. |
| 7. The Principle of Stewardship God gave us this great creation in which we live. It is our responsibility as humans protect and preserve our environment through our personal talents, our attention to personal health, and the use of our own property. |
I believe in this principle because our world will not preserve itself. By the way humans have cut up and used our planet, I fear if a major change doesn’t occur soon, our planet will be maimed beyond redemption. |
| 8. The Principle of Subsidiarity This principle puts a limit on what government can and can’t do. A higher level of organization shouldn’t perform any function a lower level of organization can efficiently and effectively do. |
I believe in this principle to an extent. I see the value in having this system being used throughout the world, however there are always going to be circumstances where a higher level of organization would have to take over a lower level in order to make sure everything was being done correctly. There would always be a gray margin where it would be tough to tell whether a lower lever of organization can effectively run something rather than the higher. |
| 9. The Principle of Human Equality Every person is created in God’s image and likeness. They therefore are created equally. Treating equals equally is one way of defining justice. |
I absolutely believe in this. No person is better than another person in terms of humanity. I believe every person is just as equal as the person right next to him, despite any negative quality a person might have. |
| 10. The Principle of the Common Good This means humans should fight for social well-being and development of the group. Individualism can destroy the balance of society. Communication between individuals throughout society will keep society whole and healthy. |
I also believe in this principle. The common good should be protected and sought after at all costs. Individual wants or desires can block the goal of the common good. However, society as a whole needs to be aware of what the common good is and how it can be obtained. |