Modernity and the Family, as seen in the Light of the Teaching of St. John Paul II
Modernity and the Family, as seen in the Light of the Teaching of St. John Paul II

Summary/Abstract: Modern philosophy of man has assumed that the original human condition is that of conflict and has made this presumption its starting point. Consequently, it proposes that the originally unbounded freedom of human individuals be limited by means of a social contract. John Paul II juxtaposes this vision of man and society with his teaching on the community, in which the starting point is the relationship between a man and a woman who confirm their humanity by means of an unselfish gift of self to the other, rather than by subordinating the other to his or her will. Marriage and the family represent the type of community which is governed by the principle of gift. While the ways of understanding marriage and the family change throughout history, one can speak of an array of their original qualities which make up their essence as social institutions regardless of the historical period. Among them are: gift, reciprocity, sexuality, and parenthood. Together, they may be considered as a specific ‘genome’ of marriage and the family.

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