The Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: From Individual Ethics to Social Ethics

Abstract

The social teaching of the Catholic Church, as a branch of ethics, developed historically from individual ethics and the commandment of love of neighbor. However, the so-called “social question,” which emerged in the mid-nineteenth century, requires solutions based on a fundamental reorganization of social and structural conditions. In addressing these challenges, the Catholic Church can draw upon a rich tradition of social documents and teachings. This study presents the historical development of Catholic social teaching and provides an overview of the major social encyclicals of the Catholic Church.