Examining the Foundations of Solidarity in the Social Encyclicals of John Paul II

Focusing on the ethics of solidarity within Catholic social thought, this work delves into John Paul II's social encyclicals, exploring the interplay of history, tradition, and philosophy that shapes his concept of solidarity. It emphasizes personalism as central to the Pope's understanding while integrating insights from Liberation theology and thinkers like Enrique Dussel and Paul Ricoeur. The study critiques and enriches personalism with a structural methodology, advocating for a balanced view of solidarity and social change through Ricoeur's idea of creative tension between individuals and societal structures.