Human Dignity and the Common Good in Business - Paper Example

I base my interactions and thus my profession on the attainment of good for one person alone is to be a sure source of satisfaction; yet to secure it for a nation and cities is nobler and more divine (Dornan 2007). As a professional in the commerce sector, having a Bachelor of Commerce, I expect to encounter lots of issues that will tend to challenge the human dignity and the common good. Being aware of that, it is my responsibility to think of how I would deal with such issues so as to ensure that all the people in my profession serve or are served with dignity and with consideration of the common good principles. For this purpose, this paper will explore in details the issues that affect the common good and those that affect the human dignity especially in a business environment in relation to the principles of Catholic Social Thought.

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Human dignity

It is an of great significance that all people learn to coexist while respecting each others dignity and at the same time appreciate diversity (Calo 2015). The same case applies to my professional especially given the fact that I am exposed to meeting new people and diverse people regarding community; cultures, norms and values. Clearly, the diversity is a major issue that faces human dignity. For instance, based on religion I expect to meet people from other denominations and with staunch religious beliefs which may shape how they interact with me in my line of work. As a person who has dignity, I intend to show respect to such people by applying the Golden Rule, the Ethic of Reciprocity in which case I will be a steward governed by the principle of doing unto others what I want them to do to me which means I will treat people with dignity and I believe that I also will be treated with dignity.

The Common Good

As Theodore (1991) puts it, the human being is a social being who is nurtured within the community and needs the community to progress which is the common good a principle in Catholic Social Thought. Markedly, the Catholic Social Thought is hinged on the fact that every human is social and that calls for harmony in how people relate (McKnight & McKnight 2016). This is the reason Fitzgerald (2017) says in her video, I am who I am, because of who we all are as she alludes to Ubuntu (an African Spirit) showing the uniqueness of the human being.

In as much as we are supposed to be social in the business sector, it is quite unfortunate that the people show a lot of partiality in their interactions. Inequality of the payroll, attainment of promotions, and to the delivery of services to clients. However, I have developed a mentality against inequality; I believe in the common good. My motto in such scenarios will be, all men have immediate worth to God (Dornan 2007). I will strive to spread the same mentality to people around me and inequality will reduce on a broader scale.

I also expect solidarity to be an issue in my line of work as it is closely related to inequality. According to Klein & Laczniak (2009), It is clear from the Catholic Social Thought that people have to act as brothers keepers which bind them to help each other in times of need. Unfortunately, there are those in top positions who find it hard to offer assistance to those in lower positions which includes the fear of delegation thus impairing solidarity. I relate solidarity to charity or I liken it to the popular phrase made by Aristotle that birds of a feather flock together (Dornan 2007). I will help those in my line of work so that we all work on the towards achieving a better business and a better world.

To sum it all up, there is a need for all professions, including mine, to incorporate the respect of human integrity and practice the common good. It is through each persons effort that the business world will be made more efficient and conducive to work in.

Bibliography

Calo, Z. R. (2015), Catholic Social Thought and Human Rights. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 74: 93112. doi: 10.1111/ajes.12088

Dornan, Geoffrey, J. (January 4, 2007). The necessity of and priority for the common good in contemporary Australia: A response to the Federal Leader of the Oppositions 16 November 2006 address to the Centre for Independent Studies. Paper delivered at Christians for an Ethical Society: Canberra.

Fitzgerald, Emma, (2016). Ubuntu- I am who I am because of who we all are.

Klein, T., & Laczniak, G. (2009). Applying Catholic Social Teachings to Ethical Issues in Marketing. Journal of Macromarketing. 29, 233-243

McKnight, S., & McKnight, S. (2016). Catholic Social Thought. Jesus Creed. 2016-03.

Motivation, Inspiration, and Life. (2017). Ubuntu- "I am what I am because of who we all are."

Theodore, Herr, (1991). Who is Responsible for the Common Good? In Catholic Social Teaching: A Textbook of Christian Insights. London: New City, 78-81.