Society And its Purpose
Book 1 - Society
CHAPTER 6
Social freedom
102. The social bond is the contrary of the bond of seigniory. Hence society, by its nature, excludes servitude. All associated persons are parts of a single body and are therefore end, just as the body itself, to which pertains the good sought by means of association, is end. Thus society presupposes freedom; persons, as members, are free.
103. The freedom enjoyed by associated persons is greater and more perfect in proportion to the size and perfection of society. Social freedom expands and becomes perfect in the measure that social benevolence(26) and the justice inherent in society(27) expand with the diffusion of society.
This new characteristic, like all the preceding characteristics, is found to the highest degree in Christian society. Freedom is the highest mark stamped by the Founder on his society. He also declared the freedom of his society to be an effect both of the truth possessed by the society and of the virtue to which it tends. To all people Christ says: `If you continue in my word’ (by faith), `you are truly my disciples’ (by your good life), `and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’(28) Thus, according to the words of Christ, there are four successive steps leading to freedom: FAITH, THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE, KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH and FREEDOM.
Notes
(26) Chap. 2.
(27) Chap. 5.
(28) Jn 8: [31–32].