This study analyses the encyclical Caritas in veritate as a new encyclical in the ongoing development of the __social doctrine__ of the Roman Catholic Church. In this regard, the research questions... Show moreThis study analyses the encyclical Caritas in veritate as a new encyclical in the ongoing development of the __social doctrine__ of the Roman Catholic Church. In this regard, the research questions are: to what extent is Caritas in veritate continuous with earlier pronouncements? To what extent is it new? In as far as there are new elements, can these be understood in relation to the theological thought of Joseph Ratzinger, who became pope Benedict XVI? To what extent can the specific points of view present in Caritas in veritate be seen as responses to contemporary social and economic developments such as globalization, or to new insights in the human sciences and contemporary secular thought? Show less
