RESEARCH GROUP ON
Position
p paper
wojtyla
karol
As explained by John Paul II (Laborem Exercens, 1981), the dignity of work demands some specific features without which the personal value of work cannot be fully realized. Such features are mainly described in terms of the subjective dimension of work constituted by the capacity to act with responsibility, creativity, and with a vocational sense (1981). These features, however, can be better understood from the particular philosophical approach of subjectivity or first-personal ethics. According to Wojtyla (1978a) is important to see that: Each of us experiences the structure of self-possession and self-domination as being essential to the personal ‘I’, as forming the personal subjectivity of man, while he is experiencing a moral value, good or evil.
Thus, the argument for a subjective approach is not simply a change of perspective (Wojtyla, 1977a), but a markedly different epistemological ground according to which personal virtues in work are explained and learned in a different manner.
Henceforth, the CST—particularly since the works of the Polish Pope—is not only characterized by an original ethics of dignity applied to personal work but also by an understanding of work in its subjective or first-person perspective. It is a valuable perspective according to which, in our opinion, the moral education of future professionals can be reframed towards increasing the impact on their character.
On the other hand, CST, even though it itself merits appreciation as a complete system of thought, has benefited from philosophical argumentation—particularly, classical philosophy and phenomenology—as a way for establishing interdisciplinary connections to other disciplines and non-Catholic audiences. In this vein, Virtue Ethics (VE henceforth), particularly neo-Aristotelianism or New Natural Law, has consistently provided arguments that, consistent with CST views, have allowed integration with other disciplines and practical sciences such as law, management, education, psychology, etc.
However, we claim that a theory of work and professional ethics seen from a VE perspective in line with CST has not yet provided major advances. For instance, neither MacIntyre in his neo-Aristotelianism philosophy, nor John Finnis in his New Natural Law, has mentioned the concept of ‘professional ethics’, even though they have developed many philosophical ideas according to which a theory for work ethics can be developed.
Accordingly, our project will seek to formulate a professional virtue ethics theory that centers on the principle of dignity. We aim to show that working persons, who aim to be ethical in the sense of pursuing the full array of ideals and demands of a life well-lived, should aspire to conduct themselves with creativity, responsibility, and a vocational sense, thereby dignifying both their own work and the life of others.