THE HUMAN PERSON IN BUSINESS AND MODERN COOPERATIVESOCIETY

Abstract

The human person is the subject and the goal of all social institutions because everyone is an image of God (Gen 1:27). The Encyclical Letter Rerum Novarum of Leo XIII as a defence of the inalienable dignity of workers strengthened the commitment to vitalize the Christian social life which was seen in the birth and consolidation of numerous initiatives: groups and centres for social studies, associations worker organizations, unions, cooperatives, rural banks, insurance groups and assistance organizations. According to the Encyclical Letter Laborem Exercens of John Paul II which enhances the personalistic vision that characterised the previous social documents, work is the “essential key” to the whole social question and is the condition for economic development and for the cultural and moral development of persons, the family, society and the entire human race. A significant example in this regard is found in the activity of so-called cooperative enterprises (Hrubieszow), a small and medium-sized businesses, commercial undertakings featuring hand-made products and family-sized agricultural ventures. The economy and finance do not exist for their own sake, they are only an instrument or means. Their sole end is the human person and his or his or her total fulfilment in dignity.