Catholic Social Science Review

Volume 5, 2000

The Anthropological Foundations of John Paul II's Social Thought

The social thought of John Paul II is deeply normative in its orientation, and seeks to find a grounding for moral human action in philosophy as well as faith. The key to the Pope's ideas about human action is his anthropology, which focuses on three central issues: the intrinsic dignity of the human person; the human telos or destiny in self-giving to others; and, the reality of human sinfulness.