Reference no: EM132310317

HUMAN DIGNITY - CORE CONCEPTS AND LANDMARK DOCUMENTS

Learning Outcomes

Building upon the learning outcomes of UNCC100, upon successful completion of this unit, you should be able to apply knowledge of Catholic Social Thought to:

1. Describe how the efforts of public, private, not-for-profit agencies, faith based groups and you as a professional, can result in the realisation of a more just global community.

2. Critically analyse the challenges with realising aspirations of the common good in your professional community, locally and globally.

3. Critique a global issue where shared responsibility for the common good is not being realised, and propose ways to address this challenge.

4.1.1 ACTIVITY

If you were asked to explain what Human Rights are, what would you say? What connection is there between Human Rights and Human Dignity?

4.2.5 HOW DO WE MEASURE UP?

For assessment task 2 you will need to identify a challenge to the common good you might encounter in your future profession, either locally or globally. With this in mind, it may be useful to consider what it would it be like to practice your profession in different places around the globe?

Australia is a relatively wealthy country. It has generally a well-functioning legal system, universal health care, free education and stable and peaceful democracy. How would practicing in a country with less material resources; a different social structure; under the threat of war, impact on each of these?

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Code of conduct: Research the code of conduct for your profession. What parts of this might be a challenge to comply with, either working in Australia or working in other countries? As you read UN charter and consider how each article relates to your profession, both locally and globally. Are they all being complied with, at all times? If some of these articles are not being fulfilled, why is that?

4.3.1 ACTIVITY

For individuals, having rights is extremely important. But are rights all we need? Is it possible for all the needs of humans to be formulated as rights? In the example above, the psychiatrists accepted patients had certain rights and therefore endeavoured to treat them with a level of respect. The nun appeared to respond to something other than the rights of the patients. How would you describe the nun’s response?

5.2.1 MULTIDIMENSIONALITY

To treat an individual as fully human we need to be mindful of all these different aspects of their being. Which of these facets of being human pose the greatest challenges to your profession, both locally and globally?

5.3.1 ACTIVITY

The following reading forms the first chapter to a book devoted to the question of what it means to be human. It draws largely from philosophy - some of the terms and reference points may be unfamiliar to you. Work your way through the reading slowly, making a short summary in a few words of the main points from each paragraph and answer the questions which follow.

Read: John Macquarrie, " Becoming," In Search of Humanity, 1-9. London: SCM, 1982.

After your first attempt at the reading, go to this Reading Resource that has been designed to enhance your understanding.

In light of your reading, consider the following questions:

1. What does it mean to be a human being and a human becoming?

2. What are some of the other tensions that exist in the human person?

3. What does the presence of these tensions tell us about what it means to be human?

4. In light of these tensions, what is the task of being human?

5. According to Macquarrie, what does it mean to be "inhuman"? What role do you think this notion plays in ethical debates based on human dignity?

6.1.1 ACTIVITY

After watching the videos linked above, think about your chosen profession (or a profession in which you would like to be engaged) and note your responses to the following questions:

1. What understanding of human dignity underpins professional practice in that chosen field? Are there contested understandings of human dignity by professionals in that field?

2. What social influences, traditions, and mores have led to such an articulation of human dignity in that field? What difference might being a graduate of Australian Catholic University make when considering those social influences, traditions, and mores?

3. How does the understanding of human dignity by professionals in that field affect the moral behaviour of those working in the field?

6.2.1 ACTIVITY

Your second assignment requires you to create an opinion editorial on realising the common good in your professional community. By now you will have chosen an issue, either global or local, to write about. The next step is to think about the ways in which your profession can promote the Common Good:

1. How it could contribute to people flourishing?

2. How it could promote equality?

Create a list of actions or find examples of members of your profession working towards the Common Good.

Can everyone contribute to the common good? Part of your task for your Op-Ed piece is to explain the  ways in which, working in your future profession, you will be able to promote the Common Good. If you are at all concerned that your profession or future career might not provide you with an opportunity to change the world, read the following article and watch this video on the contribution of Peter Norman.
Peter Norman was a Australian athlete, an Olympic silver medallist. During the 1968 Mexico Olympics he took a stand for Human Rights that changed the course of his life. His bravery and integrity made a huge impact on those who knew his story and those he stood in solidarity with.

Read: 'Tell your kids about Peter Norman’, Martin Flanagan, The Age

After watching the following video you are encouraged to research the story of Peter Norman’s action  and subsequent treatment by authorities. In the video the claim is made that in 1968 Australia had  apartheid. Is this accurate?

The Story Behind The White Guy In This Historic Photo