The theory establishes that true freedom requires a substantive account of human flourishing with objectively agreed-upon ends, rendering "negative freedom" (absence of interference) necessary but insufficient for determining market liberty. It posits that the distinction between "free-market ideology," which relies solely on negative definitions and ignores power disparities, conflicts in principle with Catholic Social Teaching's requirement for positive conditions such as adequate resources to achieve genuine human flourishing. This framework defines economic reality not merely through price signals of indifference but within a structured association where markets serve mutual benefit under rule of law while requiring cultural norms to mitigate arbitrary competition of wills.
The theory establishes that true freedom requires a substantive account of human flourishing with objectively agreed-upon ends, rendering "negative freedom" (absence of interference) necessary but in…