Is Relationality Always Other-Oriented? Adam Smith, Catholic Social Teaching, and Civil Economy

Abstract

Recent studies have investigated connections between Adam Smith’s economic and philosophical ideas and Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Scholars argue that their common background lies in their respective anthropologies, both endorsing a relational view of human beings. I raise one main concern regarding these analyses. I suggest that the relationality endorsed by Smith lacks a central element present in CST—the other-oriented perspective which is the intentional concern for promoting the good of others. Some key elements of CST, such as love, gift, gratuitousness, and fraternity, find a very different space in Smith’s social view and very little space in his economic view. Moreover, I show how CST relationality is more in accordance with a civil economy view of the market as a place of fraternity and mutual assistance.

How Hybrid Organizations Adopt Circular Economy Models to Foster Sustainable Development

“…The latter should be oriented towards the common good [61][62][63][64][65][66] and, more generally, towards improving the living conditions of all, offering even the weakest the opportunity to improve their conditions and explore their potential. The circular model offers a new vision to orient strategies and actions to the common good, assuming that the nature of man is that of homo socialis [12], whose realization lies in strengthening the relational ties [67] that make him part of a community.…”

“…People involved in the conceptualization of the activity are first those involved in its realization: the employees. Firm #4 names "collaborative planning" the process of co-design of the final product, stressing the relevance of the relational capital as a key production factor [67,77,79]. All the organizations try to establish a close relationship with the customer with tailor-made products (Firms #1, #4, and #5), accommodation facilities (Firms #2 and #3), and on-site experiences (Firms #2, #3, #4, and #5).…”

“…As already mentioned in the previous paragraph, from the establishment of the cooperative Firm #2 onwards, several economic activities have developed in the same area, leading to the reclamation of an entire city district. Two accommodation facilities, different cooperatives, shops, and artisans' laboratories have built a social economy [67] relying on a strong cooperation network. Meanwhile, a foundation has been set up to coordinate the efforts of all the organizations that have been working in the local area and to promote new projects, supporting the culture of sharing and giving.…”