Philosophical and Theological Perspectives
Thomas More
Truth
Every person must seek the truth and strive to educate and train their intelligence and consciousness. Study and reflection are the best ways to discover truth, both theoretically and practically. Intelligence and the joy derived from contemplating truth are among the greatest pleasures of the soul. Education in moral life is essential not only for good citizenship but also for greater aptitude in knowing the truth, as unbridled passions can obscure reason.
Goodness
Goodness is intimately linked with truth. Moral good is known through a well-formed conscience. As goodness perfects humanity, it is the purpose for which humans are made and provides true “pleasure.” All public offices must serve the common good, not personal gain.
Transcendence
Strongly correlated with truth, transcendence suggests the possibility of a “natural” knowledge of God in humanity. Whether establishing a religion or not, a supernatural footprint exists in every human being, evident in their desire for immortality, the recognition of a post-death judgment based on good or bad deeds, and moral norms inscribed in the human heart, pointing to a moral absolute beyond human limits.
John Paul II
Truth
A desire inscribed in every person leading them to seek knowledge and make discoveries. Truth is a vital task to be carried out. Openness to objective reality is crucial for discovering one’s vocation and meeting their needs. The truth of physical creation is the subject of positive science, but the knowledge of human beings has dimensions that cannot be reduced to the material and require special methods for understanding. Humanity is made from and for love and cannot live in isolation or selfishness. Through actions, humans glimpse an essentially spiritual and divine aspect expressed in culture and seek definitive transcendent answers.
Goodness
Goodness is what makes us better, not what we possess. It’s about being more, not having more, as seen in the critique of consumer society.
Transcendence
To transcend is to go beyond ourselves and cooperate in building a civilization of love. It refers to the sacredness of human life, created in God’s image. Harming humanity attacks God’s image. Jesus of Nazareth is the true path and architect of human happiness.
Alberto Hurtado
Truth
This concept relates to the journey of discovering the real meaning of each person’s life, leading to the understanding of who they are and their true purpose.
Goodness
Doing good was equivalent to love for Hurtado. Good works, solidarity, and care for the abandoned were manifestations of love for others. The material support and works were expressions of this love, which is goodness. He believed in addressing the root cause of poverty, which was the lack of love for others.
Significance
The path to achieving supreme good and ultimate truth has two vectors: life and death. Life requires order and hierarchy, criticizing attachment to material things. Without seeking an orderly detachment from material possessions, people cannot fully focus on finding the meaning of life and achieving salvation. Life is more than material possessions and can be grounded in the coming of Jesus. Death can be viewed from two perspectives: one filled with sadness, pain, and helplessness, and the other, a Christian perspective, which offers a richer and more hopeful view.
Edith Stein
Truth
A deep and meaningful understanding of the world, oneself, and being itself, including its causes and deepest essence. Truth satisfies the inner desire for knowledge and provides a total response to life, giving it full meaning.
Goodness
Constant fidelity to the practice of virtue is notable in Edith’s life. Moral good, accessed through conscience, is manifested in the exercise of virtues, both moral and intellectual.
Significance
Despite her early atheism, Edith’s maturity and concern for human dignity, especially for women, led her to a deep understanding of the human dimension of transcendence. By giving to others and striving for a more just community, she exemplified transcendence.